Afghanistan Hit by Devastating 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake: Casualty Estimates Soar

Sat Sep 13 2025 12:29:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction. Rescue operations are hampered by challenging terrain and communication issues.

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, claiming potentially over 600 lives. The quake's shallow depth and subsequent aftershocks have exacerbated damage, particularly in remote regions, complicating rescue efforts. The Taliban has requested international aid as infrastructure damage hampers access to the hardest-hit areas.

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake has struck Afghanistan's mountainous eastern region, with authorities stating that hundreds of people have been killed.

The quake hit at 23:47 local time on Sunday (19:17 GMT), with its epicenter located 27km away from Jalalabad, the country’s fifth-largest city, in eastern Nangarhar province.

Being only 8km deep, the earthquake was felt as far as 140km in the capital, Kabul, and even in neighboring Pakistan. Authorities are estimating casualties in the hundreds, with the number possibly rising as rescue operations continue.

Initial reports suggest significant casualties and extensive structural damage, particularly across Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. The mountainous terrain complicates rescue efforts, with many areas difficult to reach.

The Taliban's interior ministry has confirmed that more than 600 are feared dead, although a definitive death toll has not yet been established. Roads are reportedly blocked due to landslides, prompting the use of helicopters for rescue missions.

The quake occurred shortly after flash flooding devastated the area over the weekend, adding to existing humanitarian crises. Many homes were compromised, made from mud and wood, which are particularly susceptible to such disasters.

Aftershocks have further jeopardized structures, and access to the most severely impacted regions is hindered, as reported by UNICEF. The Taliban government is reaching out for international assistance as it confronts the grave humanitarian needs of the survivors.

Challenges of receiving accurate information persist, as the Taliban's control and previous exodus of international journalists limit the flow of news from the region.

This earthquake highlights the precariousness of infrastructure in Afghanistan, where previous quakes have resulted in dire outcomes due to building practices that lack earthquake resilience.