India has offered ‘all possible’ humanitarian assistance after a series of devastating earthquakes struck Afghanistan on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the loss of lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. A strong earthquake killed some 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday — with multiple aftershocks intensifying the damage.
The 6.0 magnitude quake hit towns in the Kunar province late on Sunday — followed by several aftershocks. Footage showed rescuers taking injured people on stretchers from collapsed buildings and into helicopters as people frantically dug through rubble with their hands.
‘India ready to provide assistance’
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected,” he wrote on X.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also taken note of the situation earlier on Monday and called the quakes a “matter of deep concern”. The Indian Foreign Minister also expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and assured that New Delhi would “extend assistance”.
Over 800 killed, thousands injured
Over 800 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 2,800 injured after a strong earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, The Washington Post reported, quoting Taliban-run authorities.
The tremor hit Kunar province, a mountainous region bordering Pakistan, around midnight on Sunday, flattening multiple villages, according to officials.
In the wake of the devastation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in Afghanistan, where hundreds of people were killed and injured. He affirmed that India stands ready to provide all possible aid and relief to the affected people.