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Over 70 Feared Dead in Afghan Earthquake


An Afghan man mourns the death of relatives near the site of the earthquake that hit Baghlan province, Afghanistan, June 11, 2012.
An Afghan man mourns the death of relatives near the site of the earthquake that hit Baghlan province, Afghanistan, June 11, 2012.
Authorities in northern Afghanistan fear at least 70 people are dead after earthquakes triggered a landslide.

The two quakes shook Afghanistan's northeastern Hindu Kush early Monday, trapping dozens of people beneath the rubble of collapsed homes in a remote area of Baghlan province.

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake was followed about 25 minutes later by a stronger, 5.7-magnitude quake.

On Tuesday, Baghlan's Governor Abdul Majid managed to reach the site of a landslide in Burka district. He said only two bodies of women have been recovered from the rubble so far, and that it is unlikely that anyone will be found alive.

The earthquakes hit an area roughly 175 kilometers north of Kabul, and were felt in parts of Tajikistan and Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The area is prone to such quakes.
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