Lifestyle /
A 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Afghanistan And Pakistan
A massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Monday, with 263 people reported deaths in the two countries.
The earthquake's tremors were some of the worst Afghanistan has ever experienced, said Afghanistan's chief executive officer, Abdullah Abdullah, who noted that the government is doing its utmost to get assistance to those affected. The tremors were felt hundreds of miles away from the epicentre in Jurm, in northeast Afghanistan.
Afghan officials reported 33 people dead and over 300 people injured, but those figures are expected to rise as rescue efforts continue across the region. The Afghan death toll included 12 schoolgirls caught in a stampede to escape their school building in Taluqan, near the epicentre. “They fell under the feet of other students,” said Abdul Razaq Zinda, head of the Afghan National Disaster Management Agency, to BBC News.
Shoes Belonging to Afghan Schoolgirls in Takhar Province — Photo Credit: AFP
In Pakistan, 228 people were killed and over 1,000 people injured. One of the most affected regions was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where authorities have said 179 people have died and 1,800 have been injured.
"Things are not looking in our favour,” said Pervez Khattak, chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to The Guardian. “The provincial government was trying to build up the infrastructure in these areas but this earthquake came all of sudden. I fear for more deaths in Upper Chitral, Dir and other areas.”
Kashmiri women exit a building in Srinagar. Photo Credit: CBC
The earthquake also affected Kabul, where residents felt the tremors for up to 45 seconds as walls cracked and electricity went out. There were also swaying buildings in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad and even in New Delhi, where people evacuated their buildings.
According to seismologists, the earthquake was not as impactful as others because its centre was not underground. The countries are on an active plate boundary, and the region is often hit by earthquakes, like in September 2013, when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Balochistan Province in Pakistan.
People Gathering Outside in Kabul, Where the Ground Shook for 45 Seconds — Photo Credit: BBC
For now, both the Afghan and Pakistani governments have not appealed for any international help. Pakistan has sent out its military to deal with rescue efforts, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered his services for the affected regions in Pakistan. In Afghanistan, efforts are hampered by the remoteness of the regions affected, as mobile phone network lines are cut off, and bad weather and landslides also present difficulties.
Main Image Photo Credit: BBC
Rumnique Nannar
Author
Rumnique Nannar is a new journalist with a passion for all things pop culture, film, and art. Rumnique was born in London, with a predilection for devouring English chocolate with her Vogue, ANOKHI, and Glamour magazines in tow. She is currently in her Journalism Masters at UBC. Connect ...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
