Kabul: A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan last night, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale.

The quake has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people and injuries to more than 100 others. Dozens of homes were completely destroyed, and critical infrastructure in several areas suffered severe damage.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the quake was near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, with a depth of 8 kilometers.

The earthquake was felt at 11:47 PM local time. Approximately 20 minutes later, an aftershock with a magnitude of 4.5 struck the same area, at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar were the hardest hit, where many homes collapsed into rubble. Landslides and aftershocks have destroyed roads leading to the affected regions, significantly hampering ground rescue operations.

Afghan officials, speaking to the BBC, expressed fears that the death toll may rise further. The Taliban government has appealed to aid organizations for immediate assistance with rescue operations.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated on social media that the earthquake caused significant loss of life and property, and that local authorities are engaged in assisting affected individuals.

According to him, rescue teams have been dispatched from the capital and nearby provinces to participate in relief and recovery efforts.

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A state of emergency has been declared in the affected areas, and currently, only aerial relief operations are possible due to blocked roads and inaccessible terrain.