Afghanistan Earthquake Kills Over 800, Injures Thousands Near Pakistan Border

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, killing 800+ people and injuring thousands. Rescue efforts continue.

Key Highlights

• Casualties: More than 800 dead, at least 2,800 injured

• Epicenter: Near Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, depth 14km

• Time: 11:47 p.m. local time on Sunday

• Aftershocks: Magnitudes 4.5 and 5.2 recorded shortly after

• Rescue: Teams deployed, villages destroyed, hospitals overwhelmed

Deadly Quake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan

A devastating earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing over 800 people and leaving at least 2,800 others injured, according to the country’s Taliban administration.

The tremor occurred at 11:47 p.m. local time (8:17 p.m. UK time) in Kunar province, close to the Pakistan border, the German Research Centre for Geosciences confirmed. The epicenter was pinpointed near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, approximately 74 miles (119 km) from Kabul, at a depth of 14 km (8.7 miles).

Series of Aftershocks Worsen Situation

Roughly 20 minutes after the first quake, the region was shaken again by a 4.5-magnitude tremor at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Soon after, another 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the same area, intensifying destruction across already vulnerable mountain villages.

Villages Flattened, Survivors Searched

Local authorities reported that mud and stone homes collapsed, wiping out several villages in Kunar province. Rescue workers and residents have been seen digging through rubble by hand in hopes of finding survivors.

Helicopters have been transporting medical supplies and food aid, while wounded civilians are being rushed to hospitals. A local official confirmed that hundreds of injured have already been admitted for treatment, though casualty figures are still expected to rise.

Taliban and UN Officials Respond

Interior ministry spokesperson Abdul Maten Qanee stated:

“All our teams have been mobilised to accelerate assistance, so that comprehensive and full support can be provided.”

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid added:

“Sadly, tonight's earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces. All available resources will be utilised to save lives.”

However, no foreign governments have yet extended support for relief operations, a foreign office representative said.

Sharafat Zaman, health ministry spokesperson, emphasized that reaching affected remote areas remains difficult. In one village alone, 30 deaths were reported.

“A Perfect Storm” Amid Ongoing Crises

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, called the situation “a perfect storm,” highlighting the country’s overlapping crises, including drought, mass refugee returns, and limited international aid access.

Afghanistan’s Vulnerability to Quakes

Afghanistan is one of the most seismically active regions in Asia, with frequent quakes due to the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates colliding in the Hindu Kush mountains. In October 2023, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake killed thousands, making it one of the deadliest disasters in recent history.