Kabul: A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan killing over 250 people, an official said on Wednesday.
The pictures show people on stretchers, rubble, and ruined homes in Paktika province.
BBC quoted a local government official as saying that the death toll of more than 250 was likely to rise and that more than 150 others had been injured.
According to Bakhtar News Agency, as many as 280 people lost their lives, and over 600 others were wounded following the earthquake in Paktika and Khost province on Tuesday night, local officials told BNA.
The death toll is likely to rise.
Taking to Twitter, Taliban-appointed spokesman Bilal Karimi said, “Unfortunately, last night there was a severe earthquake in four districts of Paktika province, which killed and injured hundreds of our countrymen and destroyed dozens of houses.
“We urge all aid agencies to send teams to the area immediately to prevent further catastrophe.”
The earthquake – which hit during the early hours as many people slept – was a magnitude 6.1 quake at a depth of some 51km, BBC quoted US Geological Survey as stating.
