About 1,000 People Killed, Scores Injured In Afghan Quake

A powerful quake struck eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, reportedly killing at least 1,000 people and injuring 1,500 more, the Taliban said per reports.

A 6.1 magnitude quake reportedly hit the region around 21:00 GMT on Tuesday with most asleep. Hundreds of houses were destroyed in the quake that occurred at a depth of 51km (32 miles).

The recent quake was the deadliest to strike Afghanistan in two decades. Further, it has now become a major challenge for the Taliban, an Islamic movement that regained power last year after a Western-backed government collapsed, BBC reported.

The quake struck about 44km from the city of Khost. Tremors were reportedly felt as far as Pakistan and India.

According to witnesses, they also felt the quake in both Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, and Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

In light of this unfortunate fortuitous event, the Taliban has asked the United Nations (UN) to "support them in terms of assessing the needs and responding to those affected."

According to UK special representative to Afghanistan, Nigel Casey, the UK was in touch with the UN and was ready to contribute to the international response.

In a report from Reuters, locals shared their harrowing experience when the quake struck.

"The kids and I screamed," a local named Fatima said. "One of our rooms was destroyed. Our neighbours screamed and we saw everyone's rooms."

"It destroyed the houses of our neighbors," Faisal said. "When we arrived there were many dead and wounded. They sent us to the hospital. I also saw many dead bodies."

A journalist from Paktika province also shared his experience of the devastating quake.

"Every street you go, you hear people mourning the deaths of their beloved ones," the unnamed scribe said.

Among those who perished included young children. The local hospital could not reportedly deal with such a disaster.