Hundreds were feared dead or injured after an earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter Scale hit Afghanistan's Kunar province on Sunday, a region swept by a flash flood last week.

As per the U.S. Geological Survey website, hit the area at 23:47 local time.

The quake struck at a depth of 8kms.

The epicentre of the quake was located 27km away from Jalalbad, one of the most populous cities in the Taliban-ruled nation.

More than 20 people have died in the provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar, and more than 115 have been injured, local officials told the BBC.

According to reports, the exact death toll in the incident is still not clear due to the remoteness of the place where the quake struck.

Taliban government officials tell the BBC that "hundreds" are believed to have been killed or injured - but this has not been confirmed

Roads blocked due to landslides

With roads blocked by landslides, the police in Kunar province told BBC that rescue operations can only be carried out by air

Meanwhile, the Taliban government has urged urgent help from international aid organisations to meet the immediate challenges.

According to reports, medical staff have reached the province by helicopter to treat those affected by the quake.

On October 7, 2023, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit the South Asian country. It was followed by strong aftershocks.
At least 4,000 people died in the quake.