A powerful Afghanistan earthquake measuring magnitude 6.0 struck the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangahar late on Sunday night, leaving hundreds feared dead and many more injured. The tremor occurred around midnight local time and caused widespread destruction in remote mountain villages. Officials and aid workers warn that the toll will rise as rescue operations continue in areas difficult to access due to landslides and damaged roads.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake’s epicenter was located 27 kilometers east of Jalalabad at a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers. The shallowness of the quake amplified the devastation, toppling fragile mud and rock houses in impoverished districts.
Government Confirms Rising Casualties
According to Afghanistan’s Information Ministry, more than 250 people have been confirmed dead and at least 500 injured so far. The casualties were concentrated in Kunar’s Nur Gal, Sawki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara districts. Emergency teams have been dispatched from Kabul and surrounding provinces to assist survivors and retrieve bodies trapped under rubble.
Local reporters say that entire villages in Kunar province have been badly hit. Taliban officials pledged to deploy all available resources, including military helicopters and medical teams, to speed up rescue and relief work. However, poor infrastructure and mountainous terrain pose significant challenges.
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Aftershocks and Regional Impact
A second tremor of magnitude 4.5 struck near Basawul in Nangahar shortly after the first quake, causing panic among residents already shaken by the disaster. Aftershocks continued into Monday morning, further destabilizing damaged structures.
The earthquake’s effects were felt beyond Afghanistan’s borders. People in Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces reported being jolted awake by the tremors. Analysts warned that the shallow quake and fragile construction in Afghanistan meant the disaster’s impact could be far more severe than early reports indicate.
Rescue Challenges in Mountainous Villages
Kunar and Nangahar are among Afghanistan’s poorest provinces, where many families live in mud-brick homes built on steep slopes. These structures could not withstand the strong quake, collapsing instantly and trapping residents inside. Aid agencies say the disaster struck at the worst possible time—midnight—when most people were indoors.
Experts also warn of landslides that may have buried remote communities, complicating search and rescue efforts. “These villages are spread wide apart and access is extremely difficult,” said an Al Jazeera correspondent. “Critical hours are being lost as rescuers struggle to reach isolated areas.”
A Region Prone to Earthquakes
Geologists note that Afghanistan lies on a major tectonic fault line at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian plates. This makes it highly prone to destructive earthquakes. “It’s a very tectonically active area,” explained Professor Chris Elders of Curtin University. “The mountainous terrain increases the risk of landslides, which often worsen the impact of strong tremors.”
In October 2023, a series of quakes in western Afghanistan killed at least 2,400 people, highlighting the vulnerability of local communities. This latest Afghanistan earthquake adds to the country’s history of devastating natural disasters.
International Concern and Aid Response
International organizations expressed concern over the scale of the destruction and the urgent need for humanitarian aid. Relief agencies in neighboring Pakistan said they were preparing to send medical supplies and shelter materials across the border. Humanitarian workers stressed that survivors urgently need tents, food, and clean water as thousands of families are now homeless.
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