Afghanistan

Two earthquakes kill 22 near Pakistan border

Article published on the 2009-04-17 Latest update 2009-04-17 09:39 TU

Taliban on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
(Photo : Véronique de Viguerie)

Eastern Afghanistan was hit by two moderate earthquakes Friday morning, killing at least 22 people and injuring dozens of others.

The US geological survey reported that a 5.5 magnitude quake struck just before 2am local time, followed by a 5.1 magnitude aftershock two hours later.

The earthquakes occurred in Khogyani and Sherzad districts of Nangarhar province near the Pakistan border. Police have launched rescue efforts searching for more dead and injured under the rubble of destroyed homes.

"Four villages were seriously damaged by the two earthquakes. Twenty-two people have been killed and 30 injured. More than 200 homes have been destroyed," said Khogyani district chief Haji Said Rahman.

Northern Afghanistan and Pakistan are frequently hit by earthquakes, especially around the Hindu Kush mountain range near the collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.