800 die in quake tragedy

DESPERATE Afghans were yesterday clawing through rubble in search of missing loved ones, after a strong earthquake killed at least 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, according to figures provided by the Taliban government.

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The 6.0 magnitude quake late on Sunday hit towns in the province of Kunar, near the city of Jalalabad in neighbouring Nangarhar province, causing extensive damage.

The quake at 11.47pm local time was centred 17 miles east-north-east of Jalalabad, the United States Geological Survey said. It was just five miles deep. Shallower quakes tend to cause more damage. Several aftershocks followed.

Footage showed rescuers taking injured people on stretchers from collapsed buildings and into helicopters, as people frantically dug through rubble with their hands.