Published: 22 Jun 2022 21:09 GMT

The death toll from the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck southeastern Afghanistan Wednesday morning has risen to at least 1,500. More than 2,000 Afghans have been injured, reports Al Jazeera.

“To help the people, rescue teams, Health and other officials have moved into the area and monetary aid has also been provided,” an Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by TOLO News.

The earthquake occurred about 44 kilometers from the city of Jost, in the province of the same name. Afghan authorities reported that hundreds of houses have been destroyed in Paktika province, a town near the epicenter of the quake that has little infrastructure development.

“Many houses have been destroyed and residents are still under the rubble,” said Afghan government spokesman Bilal Karimi, who called on aid agencies to provide immediate assistance to earthquake victims to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.