Kabul: Afghanistan has been struck by two powerful aftershocks within a span of 12 hours, deepening the devastation caused by a series of earthquakes that have killed more than 2,200 people and injured thousands across the country’s eastern provinces.

According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the latest tremors were recorded early Friday, adding to widespread fear and instability among residents who have been left homeless and vulnerable since the initial quake at the start of the week. The Taliban administration confirmed that at least 2,205 people have died and 3,640 have been injured, with casualties expected to rise as rescue efforts continue in remote and mountainous areas.

The crisis began late on August 31 or early September 1 with a powerful quake measuring around magnitude 6.0, which flattened entire villages across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Rescue efforts were immediately hampered by landslides triggered by a magnitude 5.2 aftershock on September 2, which cut off key access roads. On September 4, a third quake of magnitude 6.2 struck southeastern Afghanistan, further compounding the damage.

Humanitarian organizations warn that the affected population faces severe shortages of food, shelter, and medical supplies. The United Nations has said resources are critically limited, and international aid is not reaching Afghanistan at the scale required. In recent days, aid has been delivered by airdrops, but access to many communities remains blocked by difficult terrain and ongoing instability.

Entire families have been displaced, with survivors left to camp under open skies. Relief agencies stress that the crisis is unfolding in a country already grappling with deep poverty, conflict, and reduced international funding. The United Nations has appealed urgently for additional assistance, warning that food reserves in the quake-hit zones may soon run out.

As aftershocks continue to rock the region, fears of further collapses and landslides remain high, leaving thousands in desperate need of safety and aid.