More than 2,000 feared dead as landslide hits village in Afghanistan
A landslide in Afghanistan is feared to have buried at least 2,000 people after a section of mountain collapsed following torrential rain in the north-east province of Badakhshan.
Rescuers are sifting through mud and according the BBC, the UN says more than 350 bodies have been recovered.
Local police have handed out bread and water to thousands of people who have spent the night without shelter after their homes were destroyed.
Major General Faziluddin Hayar, the Badakhshan provincial police chief, said: "Now we can only help the displaced people. Those trapped under the landslide and who have lost lives, it is impossible to do anything for them."
The Independent reports that seven people were pulled alive from the mud.
Local MP Mohammad Zakria Sauda said that many of the causalities were children.
"At first a small part of the hill came down, and then when people went to help the other big part came down," he said.
"Casualties could be as many as 1,000 people. Children, women are stuck under the soil."
According to The Guardian, US president Barack Obama sent a message of condolence.
"On behalf of the American people, our thoughts are with the people of Afghanistan, who have experienced an awful tragedy," he said.
Reuters reports that officials are concerned the unstable hillside above may cave in again.
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