Strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills at least 250 people

Kabul, Sep 01: A strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border has killed at least 250 people and injured at least 500 others, officials said.

The quake late Sunday hit a series of towns in the province of Kunar, near the city of Jalalabad in neighbouring Nangahar province.

The 6.0 magnitude at 11:47 pm was centred 27 kilometres east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, the US Geological Survey said.

It was just 8 kilometres deep. Shallower quakes tend to cause more damage.

The Kunar Disaster Management Authority said in a statement that at least 250 people were killed and 500 others injured in the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapadare.