Phones fall silent, fears rise as Afghans in city await news from quake-hit homeland

Sitting in their modest shops and small rented rooms in Delhi, Afghan migrants spent a sleepless Sunday night, holding onto their phones and waiting for the comforting sound of a familiar voice from back home as news of the earthquake that killed more than 600 people in eastern Afghanistan trickled in.

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NEW DELHI:

For many like Asim, a 20-year-old dry fruit seller in central Delhi, the silence on the other end has been unbearable, as his grandmother and extended family live in Jalalabad, one of the worst-hit areas.

"I came here with my uncle two years ago and have been working with him since. The last time I spoke to my parents was about two weeks ago. This morning, when I heard about the quake, I kept trying to call them, but the phone just didn't go through. I can only pray my grandmother is safe," he said, his voice breaking.