Afghanistan's emergency official said at least 1,000 people were killed and 600 injured in the severe earthquake. Authorities reported that the Giyan district of Paktika province and Spirey district of Khost province were most affected by the earthquake.
It was shared that 255 people died in the earthquake, according to the first determinations, and that many injured. Authorities noted that search and rescue efforts were continuing and helicopters had been sent from Kabul to the region.
It was announced that the epicenter of the earthquake was 46 kilometers southwest of Khost province, which is located in eastern Afghanistan, on the border with Pakistan.
The earthquake, which occurred at 01:24 local time, was strongly felt in the densely populated cities, including the capital, Kabul.
The earthquake was also felt in key Pakistani cities close to the border, such as Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad and Peshawar. It was announced that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers.
While Afghan social media users shared images about the earthquake, some users expressed their concern that the loss of life and property may be high. In January, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 occurred in Afghanistan's Badgis province, and 26 people died.