Helicopter teams are searching remote villages in Afghanistan for survivors of a magnitude 6.0-earthquake that happened on Sunday and has left more than 800 people dead, according to the UN’s humanitarian agency
The earthquake struck the mountainous Kunar province on Sunday and with raods blocked by debris, rescue operations need to be carried out by air
The death toll could rise significantly as many are still feared to be trapped under the rubble, while officials report entire villages being destroyed
Hot meals and blankets are being prepared by the UN, its lead coordinator in Afghanistan has told the BBC
The Taliban has called for international aid, with the UK pledging £1m in relief funding, stressing that the money will not go into the Taliban’s hands
The quake struck at a shallow depth of 8km (5mi) – which can be more destructive – and shook buildings from Kabul to Pakistan’s capital Islamabad
The search for survivors and treat the wounded continues today, after a deadly earthquake struck Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar.
Helicopters have been used instead to airlift injured residents, who are then brought to hospitals.
Stories from survivors are now emerging: some of them have recently been deported from Pakistan, local media reported. Meanwhile, there are fears that women may not get timely aid, due to the region’s strong conservatism.
