Kabul: At least 920 people were killed and 600 injured in a powerful earthquake that struck Afghanistan, according to Taliban.
The pictures showing people on stretchers, rubble and ruined homes in Paktika province.
BBC quoted Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzad as saying that hundreds of houses were destroyed and the death toll was likely to rise.
His deputy minister for disaster management Sharafuddin Muslim said that 920 people were killed so far and 600 injured.
Taking to Twitter, Tailiban-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. (UNI)