KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — A powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on Sunday, causing widespread destruction and a rapidly rising death toll. According to reports from the Taliban government, over 800 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 2,500 injured. The number of casualties is expected to climb as rescue teams struggle to reach remote and devastated areas.
The earthquake, which hit near the border with Pakistan, occurred at a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers, which experts say contributed to the extensive damage. The provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar were the hardest hit, with entire villages consisting of mud and stone houses being flattened. Over 1,000 homes have reportedly been destroyed, leaving thousands homeless.
Rescue efforts are underway, but they are severely hampered by the rugged, mountainous terrain and blockages caused by landslides and rubble. Helicopters are being used to airlift the injured to hospitals in nearby cities like Jalalabad, but the scale of the disaster is overwhelming the limited resources available.
The international community, including India, has expressed condolences and offered assistance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message on X, stated that India is “ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected.”
This latest disaster highlights Afghanistan’s extreme vulnerability to natural calamities. The country is located in a seismically active zone and has been hit by a series of deadly earthquakes in recent years. The current crisis is compounded by the ongoing humanitarian challenges and a reduction in international aid, making the response to this tragedy even more difficult.
