Seven killed, scores injured as quake strikes Afghanistan

At least seven people were killed and more than 80 injured after a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Six people died and more than 75 others were injured in the eastern Nangarhar province, Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, the spokesman for the Provincial Governor said.

He said several houses were destroyed and that many people are believed to be trapped under the ruins.

In the neighbouring province of Kunar, one man died and six others were injured during the tremor, Wasifullah Wasifi, the Governor’s spokesman said.

Mr. Wasifi said that 500 residential houses were destroyed in different parts of the province.

“This is primary reports we have received. There is a possibility that the death toll may increase,” he said.

In Laghman province, the epicenter of the quake, there were no immediate reports of casualties. An official said several houses and one mosque were demolished.

There were no reports of casualties in Pakistan, which also felt the quake.

Last week, at least 30 people were killed and more than 200 injured in Pakistan’s remote south-western border region after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck neighbouring Iran.