Eastern Afghanistan earthquake kills at least 280 people

Taliban fighters secure a government helicopter to evacuate injured people in Gayan district, Paktika province, Afghanistan , Wednesday, June 22 (Bakhtar State News Agency via AP)

At least 280 people have died and around 600 others have been injured after an earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, authorities said.

Information remains scarce on the magnitude 6 tremor that struck Paktika province, but it comes as the international community largely has left Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover of the country last year amid the chaotic withdrawal of the US military.