Kabul: Eastern Afghanistan has been plunged into mourning after a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck late Sunday night, flattening homes, burying families, and leaving behind a staggering human toll. According to state broadcaster Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), at least 500 people have been confirmed dead, while nearly 1,000 others are injured, many critically. Authorities fear that the numbers will rise as rescue teams continue to pull survivors and bodies from the rubble.
The tremors were centered near Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province, but the destruction was most severe in Kunar Province, particularly in districts such as Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare. Entire mud-brick villages collapsed under the force of the shallow quake, which struck at a depth of just 10 kilometers, leaving residents with little time to flee. Survivors describe a night of horror as buildings crumbled, cries filled the air, and aftershocks rattled what was left standing.
Local officials in Kunar reported that more than 250 people died in their province alone, while hundreds more remain trapped under debris. In Nangarhar, hospitals are overwhelmed, treating at least 400 injured victims despite severe shortages of medicine, doctors, and equipment. Makeshift medical tents have been erected to handle the surge of casualties, but aid workers say many communities remain cut off, accessible only by helicopters.
The quake was followed by several aftershocks as strong as magnitude 5.2, further destabilizing structures and hampering relief efforts. Rescue teams have been working under treacherous conditions, as roads are blocked by landslides and communications remain disrupted. Volunteers are digging with their bare hands to reach those trapped, while helicopters fly the most critically wounded to provincial hospitals.
Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure and years of conflict have made disaster response extremely challenging. With international aid yet to arrive, provincial authorities are relying heavily on local communities for immediate relief. Food, shelter, and medical supplies are urgently needed as thousands of families spend the night in the open, fearful of returning to their damaged homes.
This tragedy recalls the devastating earthquake of 2023, which killed over 1,400 people in western Afghanistan. Experts warn that the country remains highly vulnerable to seismic disasters due to its mountainous terrain, poor construction practices, and lack of preparedness. For many Afghans, the latest quake is not just a natural disaster, but another painful blow in a nation already grappling with poverty, displacement, and political isolation.
As rescue efforts continue, the Afghan government has called for urgent humanitarian assistance from the international community. The coming days will determine the true scale of destruction, but already, the earthquake stands as one of the deadliest in recent years for the region.