Afghanistan earthquake death toll passes 1,400 as Taliban appeal for aid

Rescuers search into the night for people trapped under debris of mud and stone homes in steep valleys

Local residents gather around a military helicopter that landed to evacuate injured victims. Picture: Wahidullah Kakar/AP

The Taliban have called for international aid as Afghanistan reels from an earthquake that killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands more injured.

Rescuers searched into the night on Monday for survivors after the 6.0-magnitude quake struck on Sunday destroying entire villages across the country’s eastern Kunar province, which borders Pakistan.