Rescuers in Afghanistan and Pakistan are struggling to reach victims in remote areas after an earthquake registering 7.5 on the Richter Scale hit the two countries on Monday. Already, more than 300 casualties have been recorded and up to 2,000 people sustained injuries from the major temblor.

CNN reported that many buildings and houses in the affected areas collapsed as result of the strong earthquake, which lasted for abount 45 seconds.

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Mercy Corp spokesperson Arif Noor explained that dozens of the most devastated communities are located several kilometers away from the nearest highways or roads.

Scientists have revealed that the earthquake originated in the northeast part of Afghanistan. However, most of the casualties have been in Pakistanis - more than 200 based on official statements.

Noor said that the high casualties in the Pakistani side is due to the country's larger population compared to Afghanistan. Both countries ,don't have enough hospitals and doctors to tend to the wounded especially in some of the worst hit areas.

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah posted on Twitter that at least 76 of his countrymen died from the quake. Among the dead are a dozen school girls who were victims of a stampede as people in their school rush outside to safety.

Ten years ago, an earthquake of similar magnitude hit Pakistan resulting in the deaths of 70,000 people.

That recent earthquake, however, was somewhat less powerful and did not cause as much destruction because it reportedly occurred more than 200 kilometers beneath the earth's surface.

People in the Afghan-Pakistani border, who survived the earthquake, must now find ways to live through the coming winter season.

Oxfam spokesperson Jane Cocking said that survivors will need food, water and shelter as well as hygiene items such as soap in order to live through the harsh winter.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is set to visit the devastated areas today after his U.S. visit, according to Time.

The American government has offered its aid to Pakistan. However, Islamabad has declared that the country can manage to help its citizens without depending on aid from outsiders.

Meanwhile, Taliban leaders said that they have ordered their units to cooperate with aid agencies to help the Afghans hit by the earthquake, according to The Express Tribune.

TagsPakistan earthquake, Afghanistan earthquake, afghanistan-pakistan quake, Abdullah Abdullah, schoolgirls killed in quake