A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar near the Pakistan border late on the night of August 31-September 1, killing more than 800people and injuring over 2,500, according to the Interior Ministry. The epicenter was located 27 km east of Jalalabad city at a depth of 8 km, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Towns across Kunar province and areas around Jalalabad in Nangarhar were among the worst-hit, with entire villages reported destroyed. A 4.5-magnitude aftershock was also recorded near Basawul in Nangarhar. Authorities warned the death toll is expected to rise as reports continue to arrive from remote, mountainous areas, some of which are only accessible by helicopter. Hundreds of injured survivors were rushed to hospitals, while 30 doctors and 800 kg of medicines were flown in to assist overwhelmed medical centers.
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