Taliban reports sharp rise in deaths following Afghan earthquake

The number of people killed following a deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen sharply to 2,205, according to the Taliban government.

The increase, from more than 1,400 deaths reported on Tuesday, coincides with rescuers being hampered by harsh weather and rugged terrain, while aid agencies warned of dwindling resources. The 6.0 magnitude quake struck several provinces in a mountainous and remote area of the country near the Pakistan border, at around 11.47pm (8.17pm UK time) on Sunday.

Afghanistan's deadliest earthquake in years levelled villages, destroying thousands of homes, and trapping people under rubble. At least 3,640 people have been injured.

The majority of casualties have been in Kunar, where many live in steep river valleys separated by high mountains. Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said rescue and search efforts were continuing: "Tents have been set up for people, and the delivery of first aid and emergency supplies is ongoing." More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed, authorities have said.

But while officials have deployed helicopters and airdropped army commandos to help survivors, the rough terrain is hindering relief efforts. Aid workers have reported walking for hours to reach villages cut off by landslides and rockfall.

Afghanistan was already struggling with the impact of climate change, particularly drought, a weak economy and the return of some two million Afghans from neighbouring countries. Sunday's earthquake is the third to devastate the country since the Taliban seized power in 2021.

On Wednesday, the defence ministry said the Afghan air force moved more than 1,900 people in 155 flights over two days, and delivered 10,000kg of supplies across the region. The UK has pledged £1m in emergency funding to be split between humanitarian agencies instead of the Taliban government, which the UK does not recognise.

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