Afghanistan Peace CampaignTremors are still being felt in the quake-affected areas, and rescue operations continue with efforts from both the Islamic Emirate and local residents.
The death toll from Sunday night’s deadly earthquake has risen to nearly 1,457, with more than 3,900 injured.
One of the residents of Andarlach village in Dewagul Valley of Chawkay district, Kunar, a 25-year-old man named Wazir, lost 11 family members in the earthquake and has five others injured.
Wazir, a family member of the victims, said: “Eleven are martyred and five are injured. This is my daughter, this is my sister. Two are buried in one grave. This is my brother, this is my mother. My father had two wives, this is my father. Some are buried here, others there, as there was no more space.”
Another family member, Abdul Razzaq, said: “Six of my family members were martyred: four of my sisters, one brother, and my grandmother.”
Abdul Rauf, also from a victim’s family, said: “Four people from my family were martyred, my mother, my sister, and two of my brothers. When the quake struck, I was in Jalalabad. I called my uncle, who told me the houses had collapsed. When I arrived, everything was covered in dust and rubble, nothing was recognizable.”
In Dewagul Valley of Chawkay district, local residents are busy digging mass graves for the victims of the earthquake. Family members describe the devastating scene of losing their loved ones.
Arif, a resident of Chawkay district, said: “Around 90 people in Andarlach valley were martyred because of the earthquake. They were buried, and the tremors have not yet stopped.”
Mohkam Khan added: “One of my family members was martyred and three others are injured, currently in Jalalabad. Both the government and local people cooperated with us. Warning shots were fired to alert others, Mujahideen came and helped us a lot.”
Meanwhile, the deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate confirmed the rising number of casualties from Sunday night’s earthquake.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, stated: “In the quake-hit districts of Kunar, the number of martyrs has reached 1,457, with 3,394 injured. A total of 6,782 houses have also been destroyed. Operations for the burial of martyrs and evacuation of the injured are ongoing.”
This comes as tremors are still being felt in the quake-affected areas, and rescue operations continue with efforts from both the Islamic Emirate and local residents.