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Dozens Of People Have Died From 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake In Afghanistan

by John Haltiwanger
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A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan on Monday afternoon, The New York Times reports.

The powerful earthquake could reportedly be felt as far away as New Delhi, India but seems to have done the most damage in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to The Guardian, over 180 people were killed across Pakistan and Afghanistan. This reportedly includes 12 Afghan girls who died in a stampede while attempting to flee from their school.

Unfortunately, it appears the death toll will only rise as more information is gathered.

12 schoolgirls killed in a stampede caused by the #earthquake in Takhar province. 39 other wounded, said local health official. — Habib Khan Totakhil (@HabibKhanT) October 26, 2015

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the earthquake, pledging to assist Pakistan and Afghanistan.

I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015

Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah described the quake as, "the strongest one felt in recent decades." He's called for an emergency meeting of senior officials to orchestrate a response, The New York Times reports.

Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah: today's earthquake was the strongest one felt in the recent decades. 1 — Dr. Abdullah (@afgexecutive) October 26, 2015

This is all reminiscent of a 7.6-magnitude earthquake in Kashmir in 2005 that impacted Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, killing around 80,000 people.

We can only hope the number of people killed as a result of Monday's quake doesn't come anywhere close to that number.

Citations: Afghanistan Struck by Powerful Earthquake (The New York Times), Pakistan and Afghanistan rocked by earthquake (The Guardian), Kashmir earthquake of 2005 (Britannica)