Death Toll Rises to 622 as Rescue Efforts Intensify in Eastern Afghanistan After Devastating Earthquake

 Kabul: Afghanistan and Pakistan have once again been struck by powerful earthquakes, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity.

Situated at the intersection of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, the area has experienced a series of deadly quakes in recent years, resulting in thousands of casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure.

This disaster follows earlier seismic events, including a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Herat in 2023, which killed over 1,400 people, and a magnitude 6.2 quake in southeastern Afghanistan in June 2022, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths. The shallow depth of these earthquakes often intensifies the shaking, leading to greater destruction in affected areas.

The Hindu Kush mountain range, spanning both Afghanistan and Pakistan, remains highly prone to earthquakes. With hundreds of quakes recorded annually, rural communities are especially vulnerable due to poorly constructed buildings and limited emergency response capabilities. The recurring disasters have caused widespread displacement, loss of livelihoods, and restricted access to healthcare, putting additional strain on already fragile communities.

International aid has been provided in response to past events, but logistical challenges and political complexities often slow the delivery of assistance.

Experts emphasize that continued support and investment in disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and early warning systems are crucial to mitigate the effects of future earthquakes in the region.

The frequent seismic activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to protect lives and rebuild communities after each devastating event.

Following the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, rescue teams and local authorities are intensifying efforts to reach remote and mountainous areas where hundreds remain trapped under rubble.

Helicopters and ground teams are being deployed to evacuate the injured and deliver emergency supplies, including food, water, and medical aid. The earthquake has so far killed 622 peopleand injured over 1,500, with the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar the hardest hit.

Authorities have reported that many villages in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces have been completely destroyed, leaving survivors homeless and in urgent need of assistance. Hospitals in nearby cities are overwhelmed with casualties, and temporary medical camps are being set up to handle the surge of patients.

The Afghan government has appealed for international aid, warning that the affected regions’ rugged terrain and lack of infrastructure are slowing rescue operations. Humanitarian organizations are closely monitoring the situation, but no formal assistance has yet arrived from abroad.

This earthquake, the deadliest since 2022, has highlighted Afghanistan’s vulnerability to seismic disasters. Experts caution that without significant aid and infrastructure support, thousands of people could face prolonged suffering in the aftermath, particularly in isolated villages cut off from immediate help.

Authorities continue to urge residents in affected areas to remain cautious of aftershocks, which could further destabilize already weakened structures.