The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Kunar province in northeastern Afghanistan yesterday has risen to more than 800 dead and 2700 injured, according to the Taliban government announced today at a press conference in the capital Kabul.

The government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Kunar province alone recorded 800 dead and 2500 injured, while 12 dead and 255 injured were counted in the neighboring Nangarhar province. He noted that the numbers are expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue in remote areas.

Afghan authorities have sent helicopters to participate in rescue efforts amid great difficulties in reaching the affected areas, especially in the Nurgal area, which witnessed the complete destruction of three large villages and landslides that cut off access roads.

An initial toll had reported at least 500 deaths and hundreds injured before the full extent of the disaster became clear as rescue teams advanced.

The earthquake, which measured 6.0 on the Richter scale, struck the mountainous Hindu Kush region in Kunar province yesterday morning, causing severe human and material losses.

The Syrian Arab Republic expressed its solidarity with Afghanistan following the devastating earthquake, offering condolences to the victims’ families and confirming its readiness to provide humanitarian aid. This is part of Syria’s consistent stance towards humanitarian disasters in friendly countries.