TEHRAN, Jan 4: More than 1,300 Afghans died in the December 26 earthquake that devastated the southeastern Iranian city of Bam, a top interior ministry official said on Sunday.

"We had counted 2,650 Afghans to return home, and unfortunately they more than 50 per cent of them died in the earthquake. We are in the process of finding out the exact figure," Ahmad Hosseini, head of the interior ministry's bureau of alien affairs, told state television.

Previously, officials had feared as many as 3,600 Afghans had been killed in the quake, which left around 30,000 people dead when it flattened much of the historic city.-AFP

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...