India Dispatches Relief Materials to Afghanistan After Devastating Earthquake
India has dispatched relief materials to Afghanistan to assist victims of a magnitude 6 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, killing over 800 people and injuring over 2,000. The Indian government has pledged more aid and is standing by Afghanistan at this difficult time. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to assess the situation and express condolences. The earthquake caused widespread destruction, including landslides and severe damage to villages in Kunar province.
Key Takeaways:
- Over 800 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured in the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan.
- The Indian government has delivered 1,000 family tents in Kabul and sent 15 tonnes of food items to Kunar province.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow at the loss of lives and pledged humanitarian aid to those affected.
- Rescuers are facing difficulties accessing remote areas, with immediate needs including medical support, rescue equipment, shelter, food, and clean water.
- The earthquake caused significant damage in Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces.
- Rescue teams from the public health ministry have been deployed to affected regions with ambulances, medical staff, and supplies.
- Helicopters are airlifting the injured from inaccessible areas.
- The Indian government has pledged to send further relief material from India starting tomorrow.
Statistics:
- The magnitude 6 earthquake struck just before midnight local time in eastern Afghanistan.
- Over 800 people were killed in the earthquake, with another 9 deaths reported from Nangarhar province.
- More than 2,000 people were injured in the earthquake, with reports of scores of people being injured in Nangarhar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces.
- The Indian government has delivered 1,000 family tents and sent 15 tonnes of food items to Afghanistan.
- Relief material is being transported to Afghanistan, with further shipments expected to be sent from India starting tomorrow.
- The earthquake caused severe damage to villages in Kunar's Mazar Valley, with entire villages buried under landslides.
Sources:
- Hindustan Times article, "India dispatches relief materials to Afghanistan after devastating earthquake"
- S Jaishankar's social media post expressing condolences to the people of Afghanistan
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media post expressing sorrow at the loss of lives.