‘More aid needed’ after earthquake

GAYAN: Aid began arriving yesterday in a remote part of Afghanistan where a magnitude 6.1 earthquake killed 1 000 people, with Taliban officials telling the UN that the rescue operation was almost complete. It was Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquake in two decades, according to US data. More than 3 000 houses were destroyed.

Poor communications and a lack of proper roads were hampering relief efforts in a country grappling with a humanitarian crisis that has worsened since the Taliban took over last year. About 1 000 people had been rescued yesterday the health ministry said, adding that aid had arrived in the area but that more was needed.