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Facebook Rolls Out Safety Check In Kabul Following Airport Blast
By Alexa Heah, 27 Aug 2021
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Screenshot via Facebook
Following a blast at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport, Facebook turned on its Safety Check feature so those in the area would be able to inform loved ones that they are alright.
This feature, which Facebook makes use of during international emergencies or disasters, is part of the platform’s crisis response.
Apart from letting their family and friends know they’re alive, users in the region can also offer or request for help via the page. Additionally, it provides news updates so those in the country and abroad can stay informed of what’s happening.
According to CNET, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said one explosion had struck near the Abbey Gate of the airport, with at least one other blast close to the Baron Hotel.
As of now, the death toll stands at 60 Afghans and 13 US troops killed, as per the Associated Press.
This is another step in how Facebook has been involved since Taliban militants took over Afghanistan. Previously, it implemented a one-click feature that allowed users in the region to lock their profiles, so as to ensure their safety wasn’t compromised.
[via CNET, images via Facebook]
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