A strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills at least 250 people and injures 500

KABUL Afghanistan AP A strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan demarcation has killed at least people and injured at least others authorities commented The quake late Sunday hit a series of towns in the province of Kunar near the city of Jalalabad in neighboring Nangahar province The magnitude at p m was centered kilometers miles east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province the U S Geological Survey stated It was just kilometers miles deep Shallower quakes tend to cause more damage The Kunar Calamity Management Authority commented in a announcement that at least people were killed and others injured in the districts of Nur Gul Soki Watpur Manogi and Chapadare Jalalabad is a bustling contract city due to its proximity with neighboring Pakistan and a key perimeter passing between the countries Although it has a population of about according to the municipality it s metropolitan area is thought to be far larger The bulk of its buildings are low-rise constructions mostly of concrete and brick and its outlying areas include homes built of mud bricks and wood Numerous are of poor construction Jalalabad also has considerable agriculture and farming including citrus fruit and rice with the Kabul River flowing through the city A magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Oct followed by strong aftershocks The Taliban executive estimated at least people perished The U N gave a far lower death toll of about It was the deadliest natural mishap to strike Afghanistan in modern memory Source