Afghanistan Earthquake Kills Over 600, Injures Thousands in Kunar and Nangarhar
A deadly Afghanistan earthquake has killed over 600 people and injured thousands, destroying villages in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Rescue efforts are underway amid landslides and limited resources.
A powerful Afghanistan earthquake shook the eastern provinces, leaving behind devastation on a massive scale. Villages collapsed into rubble, lives were lost within seconds, and survivors now face the grim aftermath of one of the deadliest disasters in recent years. According to early reports, more than 600 people have been killed and at least 1,500 injured, while estimates continue to rise as rescuers dig through debris.
Epicenter and Scale of Destruction
The US Geological Survey recorded the magnitude of the earthquake at 6.0, with its epicenter near Jalalabad, a city close to Pakistan’s border. The tremors struck just before midnight, at a depth of about 8 to 10 kilometers, making the impact far more destructive. Entire villages in Kunar province and Nangarhar province were flattened, with three villages in Kunar reportedly razed to the ground.
In neighboring Pakistan, the quake was felt at 12:08 am in Islamabad and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While no major damage was reported in Pakistan, the intensity of the tremors left many in fear of aftershocks.
Kunar and Nangarhar Hit the Hardest
The worst-hit areas remain the mountainous regions of Kunar province, where landslides caused by the earthquake blocked major roads, cutting off access to remote districts. Villages such as Noor Gul, Chawkay, Watapur, Mano Gai, and Chapa Dara were among the most severely affected. Helicopters have been deployed to transport the injured, but Afghanistan’s limited fleet makes large-scale operations almost impossible without outside help.
In Nangarhar, dozens of homes made from mud and stone collapsed instantly, leaving families trapped beneath rubble. The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior confirmed widespread destruction and mobilized teams to accelerate assistance with food, medical care, and security arrangements.
Rescue Efforts Amid Challenges
Rescue operations have been particularly challenging. With landslides blocking access roads, helicopters remain the only lifeline for many stranded communities. The Afghan defense ministry stated that at least 40 flights had been conducted, carrying more than 420 wounded and dead from the worst-hit areas.
Images broadcasted by Reuters Television showed soldiers and medics carrying the injured to ambulances, with residents joining in to support the relief efforts. However, the Taliban government has admitted that their resources are limited. A spokesperson from the foreign office revealed that no foreign governments had yet offered concrete support for rescue or relief operations.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The Afghanistan earthquake comes at a time when the nation is already grappling with severe humanitarian crises. Aid inflows have dropped significantly, while mass deportations of Afghan citizens from neighboring countries have put additional pressure on local communities.
The quake has amplified the vulnerability of a country that sits on the collision point of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly prone to natural disasters. Last year, a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan claimed more than 1,000 lives, highlighting the recurring threat.
International and Regional Responses
So far, the Taliban-led administration has urged the international community to step in with urgent assistance. They stressed that without global cooperation, large-scale rescue operations in Kunar and Nangarhar will remain limited.
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences over the loss of lives. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he said:
“Deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, which shook Kabul & was also felt in various parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad. With reports confirming hundreds of precious human lives lost & villages destroyed, our hearts go out to the victims and their families. On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, I extend my heartfelt condolences & prayers to the bereaved families.”
He added that Pakistan stands ready to extend all possible support to its Afghan neighbors in this hour of grief.
The Road Ahead
Health authorities in Kabul are racing to reach remote hamlets, where survivors wait for food, medical supplies, and shelter. With winter approaching, the risk of further casualties from exposure and disease looms large. International organizations, regional governments, and aid agencies face mounting pressure to provide swift assistance before the crisis deepens further.
The Afghanistan earthquake is not just a natural disaster, it is a stark reminder of the fragile humanitarian situation in the region. In villages where houses of mud and stone cannot withstand even moderate tremors, rebuilding will take years. For now, families continue to dig through debris, hoping to recover their loved ones, as helicopters ferry the injured to overwhelmed hospitals.
As rescue workers battle time and limited resources, Afghanistan once again finds itself at the mercy of nature. The Afghanistan earthquake has underscored the urgent need for both disaster preparedness and international solidarity. Unless swift action is taken, the tragedy risks leaving thousands more vulnerable, not just to the loss of homes and livelihoods, but to the long shadow of despair that natural disasters so often leave behind.
