An earthquake in Afghanistan has left over 1,000 people dead and hundreds more injured.
Head of information for Paktika province Mohammad Amin Hazifi told BBC News that 1,000 people had been killed and 1,500 more injured in the 6.1 magnitude quake, which struck near the Pakistan border.
Per BBC News, the earthquake took place at 1:30AM local time roughly 27 miles from the south-eastern city of Khost, and measured almost 30 miles deep. Many victims died in their homes, where they were sleeping when the natural disaster occurred.
Communication in the region is difficult due to fallen mobile phone towers, and the death toll is expected to continue rising as reports continue to emerge from badly hit areas.
Locals described the horrific destruction caused by the quake to Reuters, saying: "The kids and I screamed. One of our rooms was destroyed. Our neighbors screamed and we saw everyone's rooms."
"It destroyed the houses of our neighbors," another local resident added. "When we arrived there were many dead and wounded. They sent us to the hospital. I also saw many dead bodies."
In the wake of the natural disaster, Taliban officials have called on aid agencies to send help to the affected areas. However, due to many of the worst-hit dwellings being in remote, mountainous locations, it is difficult to get aid to those in need.
Acting prime minister of the Taliban Mohammad Hasan Akhund has reportedly pledged over $11 million to "urgently address the situation of the families of earthquake victims and victims in Paktika and Khost provinces."
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul released a statement on Twitter, in which they offered "heartfelt condolences" to all those affected.
"We are deeply saddened by reports of an earthquake in eastern Afghanistan. We offer our heartfelt condolences to all who have been affected by this devastating event," the Embassy shared.
Afghanistan is particularly susceptible to earthquakes because it lies on a number of tectonic fault lines. According to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 7,000 people have been killed by quakes in the country over the past ten years, with an average of 560 deaths each year.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy...
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