Over 2100 people have been confirmed killed in a massive landslide in northeastern Afghanistan on Friday.
Rescue operations are going under tremendous difficulties due to continuous rains and spring snow. The chances of survivors buried in up to 100 metres of mud are slim as well as the concerns are looming that another hillside disaster may occur any moment.
“More than 2,100 people from 300 families are all dead,” said Naweed Forotan, a spokesman for the Badakhshan provincial governor.
Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai ordered emergency relief work.
A UN representative in Kabul Colonel Sayad informed reporters that they are waiting for advanced machines to create passage for the smooth rescue operations.
“Due to the size of the landslide, it is impossible to search for bodies without advanced machinery,” Colonel Sayad said.
“We hope to get some machinery and aid soon,” he added.
US president Barack Obama, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other internations heads have expressed their condolences.
“Just as the United States has stood with the people of Afghanistan through a difficult decade, we stand ready to help our Afghan partners as they respond to this disaster, for even as our war there comes to an end this year, our commitment to Afghanistan and its people will endure,” Obama said.
Tags: Afghanistan Afghanistan landslide Badakhshan Barack Obama Hamid Karzai