Pakistan dispatches relief goods to earthquake-hit Afghanistan

Pakistan on Monday said it is dispatching the first consignment of relief goods for the victims of Saturday's massive earthquakes in northwestern Afghanistan.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said that Islamabad is immediately sending a medical team, field hospital, 50 tents, and 500 blankets to the earthquake-hit region on the "specific request" of the interim Afghan government.

"On my instructions-in addition to the relief goods-all the requested items are being dispatched in the afternoon today (Monday), with more relief goods to follow," Kakar said in a post on X.

"Deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake in Herat, Afghanistan. Our hearts go out to the affected communities," he further said, adding that Islamabad stands "in solidarity with the Afghans during this difficult time."

Kakar said he instructed the Pakistani disaster authority to send "maximum" support to the affected people.

The death toll from Saturday's massive earthquakes in Afghanistan has shot up to over 2,500, said Taliban police.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, strong earthquakes of magnitude 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5 jolted the northwestern Herat and Badghis provinces. It said the epicenter was 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) northwest of Herat city.

Afghanistan is frequently struck by tremors, mainly the Hindukush mountain range, which sits near the confluence of Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake in June last year killed over 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless in the eastern Paktika province.