A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, causing widespread destruction across several villages and resulting in a tragic loss of life. Local officials report that at least 812 people have died and many more have sustained injuries due to this catastrophic event. The earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 17 miles east of Jalalabad, near the Pakistan border, as indicated by preliminary data from the U.S. Geological Survey.
The majority of casualties occurred in Kunar Province, where officials confirmed that around 800 people were killed and an estimated 2,500 individuals were injured. This information was shared by Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban government. In addition to the devastation in Kunar, another dozen fatalities were reported in Nangarhar Province, with over 255 injuries documented there, as stated by Mufti Abdul Matin Qani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior.
In an interview with ABC News, Shah Mehmood, a Taliban official in Nangahar Province, expressed concerns that more individuals might be trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings in remote villages. The urgency of the situation is exacerbated by previous deadly earthquakes in Afghanistan, including a 5.9 magnitude quake in June 2022 and a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in October 2023, both of which resulted in death tolls exceeding 1,000 people.
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan released a statement expressing profound sadness over the loss of life and extensive injuries caused by this earthquake. The Afghan health minister reported that numerous villages in the Nurgal district of Kunar—such as Sholt, Arit, Mamagal, and Wadir—have been nearly obliterated, with others suffering severe damage. Some of the injured have already been evacuated, and rescue operations are actively underway.
Mujahid stated on social media, "Sadly, tonight's earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces." He noted that support teams from neighboring provinces were dispatched to assist in relief efforts. The Ministry of Defense reported that a 10-member crew has conducted approximately 40 flights to transport 420 individuals to hospitals, including the Daoud Khan Military Hospital.
The National Disaster Management Authority announced that a convoy carrying response teams is on its way to the affected areas in Kunar. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has begun coordinating with international agencies, stating that partners are already on the ground, initiating immediate relief efforts. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, stating, "I stand in full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan after the devastating earthquake that hit the country earlier today." He conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished for a quick recovery for the injured.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with 200 Taliban soldiers deployed to assist in locating survivors. The efforts include the use of two helicopters and 30 ambulances for transportation and rescue. Mehmood noted that among the hardest-hit areas are Nurgal and Siringal in Kunar Province, along with several villages in Shaman District, which have been completely destroyed. Darr-e-Nur in Nangarhar Province also reported significant damage. Communication blackouts and poor cellular service in some affected regions pose additional challenges to reaching those in need.
This recent earthquake underscores the persistent vulnerability of Afghanistan to natural disasters and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and response strategies to protect its citizens.
