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Google person finder launched to help locate missing after Afghanistan earthquake

Internet giant Google has launched its Person Finder tool to help track missing people following a strong earthquake in northern Afghanistan Monday.

The Google Person Finder was created in 2010 following the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Hours after news of the earthquake hit social media, Google created a page dedicated to the South Asia Earthquake.

The tool allows users to enter the name of a person they’re looking for, or enter information about someone who is there. Users can select the “I’m looking for someone” tool and enter the name of their loved one to see if there has been an entry added for that person; or, users can select “I have information about someone” to add a person’s name to the list.

READ MORE: Afghan earthquake rocks Asia, at least 105 dead across region

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WATCH: A strong earthquake in northern Afghanistan on Monday shook buildings from Kabul to Delhi, cut power and communications in some areas and caused more than 100 deaths

The earthquake shook buildings from Kabul to Delhi, cut power and communications in some areas and caused at least 105 deaths across South Asia. The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the 7.5-magnitude earthquake was in the Hindu Kush mountains, in the sparsely populated province of Badakhshan, which borders Pakistan, Tajikistan and China.

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In northwest Pakistan, rescue official Latifir Rehman said 21 people were killed and 200 wounded across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Another official, Fiaz Khan, said at least eight people were killed and 70 injured in the Bajur tribal region.

The tool does issue a disclaimer stating that Google doesn’t review or verify any information, and notes that all details are public.

Google Person Finder was created as part of Google Crisis Response, which aims to make information more accessible at times of crisis around the world.

With files from The Associated Press

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