Kabul: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck northeastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, leaving more than 250 people dead and over 500 injured, with authorities warning that the toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

The quake, which hit around 11:47 p.m. local time, had its epicenter near Jalalabad in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces close to the Pakistan border. The shallow depth of about 8–10 kilometers made the tremors especially destructive, flattening mud-brick houses and entire villages in remote mountainous regions.

According to officials, Kunar province recorded the highest casualties, with dozens of villages heavily damaged and one village reporting at least 30 deaths. In neighboring Nangarhar, nine people were confirmed dead and more than 30 others injured, particularly in Darai Nur district. Rescue teams are struggling to reach remote areas due to blocked roads and landslides triggered by the quake.

The earthquake was followed by at least 13 aftershocks, including tremors of 5.2 and 4.5 magnitude, worsening conditions for survivors and hampering rescue efforts. Tremors were also felt across Kabul, parts of Pakistan including Islamabad and Lahore, and as far as New Delhi in India.

Taliban authorities confirmed that rescue operations were launched immediately, with emergency teams and volunteers dispatched to affected areas. Four helicopters carrying medical staff and supplies were sent to the worst-hit villages. Hospitals in Jalalabad and nearby cities have been overwhelmed, prompting local volunteers to donate blood for the injured.

Afghan officials have appealed for international support, acknowledging that the scale of destruction and limited local resources make relief efforts extremely difficult. Humanitarian agencies are monitoring the situation and are expected to step up aid deliveries in the coming days.

Afghanistan, located in the seismically active Hindu Kush region, is prone to devastating earthquakes due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Past disasters, including the 2023 Herat quake that killed more than 1,000 people, underline the country’s vulnerability to seismic shocks.

Authorities warned that the death toll is likely to rise sharply as rescue teams reach remote villages cut off by landslides and collapsed infrastructure.