Dozens Feared Dead in Afghan Quakes

Hundreds of houses destroyed as twin quakes hit remote eastern region
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 17, 2009 5:08 AM CDT
Dozens Feared Dead in Afghan Quakes
Passengers aboard a horse drawn cart travel in the city of Jalalabad. Dozens are feared dead from a 5.5 earthquake and its aftershock that struck rural villages in the region today.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Two strong earthquakes killed at least 22 people in eastern Afghanistan early today and authorities fear many more bodies are in the rubble, reports Reuters. A 5.5 magnitude earthquake before dawn was followed by a 5.1 aftershock two hours later. Hundreds of mud-brick houses have collapsed in remote villages.

"I was sleeping when the earthquake happened," said a boy in a village 30 miles west of Jalalabad. "We went out for a bit and went back into the house. Then there was another tremor which was very strong. The roof came down and killed my brother and his two children." A man in the village estimated 40 had been killed there alone. (More earthquake stories.)

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