278 dead in avalanches, flooding: MoI

KABUL, at least 278 persons lost their lives and 134 more wounded, the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior said on Sunday.

Sediq Seddiqi told journalists that 200 fatalities from the devastated avalanches were registered in central Panjsher province.

More than 1,248 houses have been damaged in Panjsher, Parwan, Herat, Farah, Ghor, Badghis, Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar, Sar-i-Pul, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kapisa, Nuristan, Nimroz and Bamyan provinces, he noted.

Police force, he said took a major part in relief and rescue operations in several provinces where the force had set up five emergency health clinics in Panjsher.

The death toll from a series of avalanches and flash floods rose to 260 on Friday, with the bulk of deaths coming from central Panjsher province, where above 200 lost their lives, including women and children.

The Afghanistan cabinet announced a three-day national mourning to express solidarity with families who lost their beloved ones to avalanches in several parts of the country, a statement from the Presidential Palace said on Saturday.

hg/rm

Visits: 4