The Death Toll from the Earthquake in Afghanistan and Pakistan Reaches 313

Latest reports from the earthquake on Monday in Afghanistan and Pakistan indicate that the death toll has risen to 313, while rescue and search operations continue, and it is expected that the number of fatalities will increase further. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday, November 5, citing Afghan and Pakistani officials, that 237 people have died in Pakistan due to the earthquake, and the number of victims in Afghanistan has reached 74, bringing the total to 311. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan section of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported, quoting Waiss Baramak, the Minister of State for Natural Disaster Management in Afghanistan, that the earthquake fatalities in the country have reached 76. According to Mr. Baramak, the earthquake also left 268 injured in Afghanistan and caused the destruction of 3,942 houses. The earthquake on Monday, measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, occurred deep in the Hindu Kush mountains and in the sparsely populated Badakhshan province near the borders of Pakistan, Tajikistan, and China. Reports indicate that the earthquake was so intense that it shook New Delhi, the capital of India, for a minute and caused communication and power outages in some other regions of the country. Meanwhile, the Taliban have called for assistance from charity organizations and rescue groups, stating that the group's militants are ready to help. Some of the areas affected by the earthquake on Monday in Afghanistan are practically under the control of Taliban militants, raising concerns about the safety of rescue groups. However, the Taliban's statement indicates that the group is committed to facilitating access for rescue teams. Reports from journalists at the Afghanistan section of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty indicate that the earthquake on Monday caused casualties across a wide area of the country, including Nangarhar, Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, and Panjshir provinces.