KABUL, Afghanistan (RTW News) — A powerful earthquake rattled eastern Afghanistan on Sunday night, leading to devastation and loss of life. Reports indicate at least 800 people have died and more than 2,500 have been injured following the magnitude 6.0 quake that struck near the city of Jalalabad in Kunar province.
The quake occurred at 11:47 p.m., with its epicenter located approximately 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake's shallow depth of just 8 kilometers (5 miles) led to significant structural damages across the region.
Footage and reports from the ground highlighted frantic scenes of rescue workers and citizens digging through rubble with their bare hands in search of survivors. Many areas, particularly the Nurgal district of Kunar, have reported extensive destruction with entire villages flattened.
More than 800 lives have been lost, and officials warn that the casualty count could rise as search and rescue operations continue. Talibans spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid informed media that most casualties have been confirmed in Kunar province.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with one man describing how he narrowly escaped as a building collapsed around him, tragically losing his wife and children. I was half-buried and unable to get out, he recounted from Nangarhar Hospital, visibly shaken by the loss.
In response to this crisis, Afghanistan's health ministry confirmed that medical teams were being deployed from Kunar and Nangarhar provinces to assist in relief efforts. Rescue operations are complicated by the mountainous terrain of eastern Afghanistan, which hinders communications and transport.
The earthquake also raised humanitarian concerns, as the United Nations highlighted the compounded challenges facing Afghanistan, grappling with conditions such as drought and the return of millions of refugees. UNHCR officials urge international donors to step up support.
The situation remains critical, and aid efforts are urgently needed to provide shelter, medical care, and support to those who have lost everything.
