Death Toll from Afghan Earthquake Surpasses 1,400 as Efforts to Rescue Survivors Face Challenges in Affected Areas

The devastating earthquake that struck on Sunday night has claimed the lives of at least 1,411 individuals, according to Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesperson for Afghanistan's ruling group. Rescue efforts are being hindered by the rugged landscape in the impacted areas. Mujahid reported that 3,124 individuals were also injured, and 5,412 homes were destroyed.

"The scale of destruction is staggering. Entire communities have been obliterated, with survivors remaining under the debris of collapsed structures. Access is severely restricted, complicating the delivery of aid and evacuation of those in need," stated Dr. Abudl Majeed Ahmadzai, who leads the Kabul Asia Hospital and has traveled to the disaster zone.

The tremors leveled houses in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, trapping many residents, as structures in these areas are primarily constructed with wood and mud and were overwhelmed as people slept.

Dr. Ahmadzai explained that those requiring medical attention are being transported on foot for extended periods, sometimes using improvised stretchers, just to access fundamental aid.

"It's a dire situation. We're dealing with food shortages, inadequate medical supplies, and helicopters are the only viable means of helping because land access is virtually non-existent," Ahmadzai noted.

In regions where helicopters cannot operate, Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat pointed out that "several commando units have been dropped in to extract the injured and relocate them to safety."

Fitrat further mentioned that emergency accommodations have been established in Kunar's Khas Kunar district, along with two coordination centers near the heart of the disaster, aiming to streamline emergency relief, facilitate rescue efforts, and manage the handling of casualties.

The United Nations has appealed to the international community to increase their support for Afghanistan, as outlined by Indrika Ratwatte, the U.N.'s resident coordinator in the country. "We're in a race against time to save lives amid this multi-layered crisis."

Sharafat Zaman from the health ministry is urging global assistance, highlighting the massive loss of life and destruction resulting from the quake.

The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6, struck late Sunday night and represents the deadliest tremor in Afghanistan in recent history. This tragedy is compounded by a drastic reduction in international financial support due to global political concerns related to the ruling group.

Following the seizure of power, the Taliban has reinstated several restrictive measures, such as barring women from secondary education and many professional opportunities, further complicating the humanitarian response and access to essential services.

These policies have left women marginalized, posing additional challenges in accessing healthcare, and raising concerns that female victims may hesitate to seek necessary medical help.