Afghanistan earthquake death toll exceeds 800

More than 800 people were killed and more than 2,700 injured by the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late on Sunday, measured at magnitude 6.

Taliban government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said at a press conference in Kabul that 800 deaths and 2,500 injuries were recorded in Kunar province alone, in addition to 12 dead and 255 injured in neighbouring Nangarhar province, where the quake’s epicentre was at a depth of just eight kilometres.

Local officials and the US Geological Survey said on Sunday evening that the quake’s centre, which struck at a relatively shallow depth of eight kilometres, was located 27 kilometres east of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province bordering Kunar, where the largest number of casualties has been recorded so far.

The USGS added that the earthquake struck at 11:47 p.m. (19:17 GMT).

Afghan officials warned the toll could rise as searches for victims and survivors continue in rugged, remote areas.

Taliban authorities confirmed they had sent helicopters to take part in rescue operations.

Earlier, authorities had reported that 10 people were killed in Nangarhar province alone, including two children who died when the roof of their home collapsed as a result of the quake.