A medical professional feared for his children’s safety during a massive earthquake in Afghanistan, where he had to quickly evacuate his shaking home. Azam, a 52-year-old resident of Kunar province, experienced the destructive impact of a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck late Sunday, causing a tragic loss of approximately 800 lives and injuring over 2,500 individuals in eastern Afghanistan.
The earthquake, which occurred at 11:47 pm, 17 miles east-northeast of Jalalabad, resulted in widespread destruction of buildings and residences in the area, followed by multiple aftershocks. Azam vividly recounted the harrowing moment of the intense tremors that prompted him to escape from his collapsing house. Fortunately, his children were not present during the catastrophic event.
Describing the terrifying experience, Azam stated, “The earthquake hit us around midnight, and the tremors were incredibly powerful. The shaking was so severe that we couldn’t even open the door, but a part of the wall gave way, allowing me to flee.” He added, “Thankfully, the children were not home. Had they been with us, the situation might have been dire. Our rooms are all damaged, and our belongings are buried under debris. We continue to feel tremors from the earthquake in our surroundings.”
Disturbing footage depicted rescuers assisting injured individuals from collapsed structures and airlifting them in helicopters, while civilians desperately searched through rubble by hand. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government, announced in a press briefing on Monday that the death toll had climbed to at least 800, with over 2,500 people wounded, predominantly in Kunar.
Due to the prevalent construction of low-rise concrete and brick buildings in Afghanistan, particularly in rural areas made of mud bricks and wood, many structures are inadequately built. Samira Sayed Rahman, Advocacy Director at Save the Children Afghanistan, highlighted the profound impact of the earthquake on children, who were caught off guard by the nighttime tremors.
Rahman emphasized, “The earthquake struck without warning in the dead of night. Children and families were asleep in homes ill-equipped to withstand such powerful tremors. Ongoing aftershocks are causing fear among children and escalating the risk of further damage and casualties.” She continued, “Rockslides have blocked roads, isolating villages and hindering rescue efforts. Urgent assistance is required for children and families, including provisions of food, clean water, shelter, and essential supplies amidst the likely destruction of numerous homes.”
Rahman stressed, “While the full extent of the devastation is still unfolding, children remain the most vulnerable in the aftermath of a disaster. We urge the global community to swiftly provide funding and coordinated aid to ensure prompt delivery of life-saving assistance to affected children and families.”