Strong Earthquake Devastates Eastern Afghanistan, Hundreds Dead

A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on Sunday, causing widespread destruction and a tragic loss of life. The magnitude 6.0 quake hit the Kunar Province, near the Pakistan border, at 23:47 local time. At least 250 people have been confirmed dead, with over 500 others injured, according to local officials. The toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to assess the damage in remote areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake was centered approximately 17 miles east-northeast of Jalalabad, a key city in neighboring Nangarhar Province, and occurred at a depth of just 5 miles. Shallow earthquakes tend to result in more severe damage, and this incident has devastated numerous villages across the affected districts.

Sharafat Zaman, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, indicated that many areas remain isolated, making it challenging to gather accurate casualty figures. “Rescue operations are still underway there, and several villages have been completely destroyed. The figures for martyrs and injured are changing,” he noted. Medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and the capital, Kabul, have mobilized to provide assistance.

As search and rescue efforts progress, the full scale of the devastation is becoming clearer. The earthquake has impacted districts such as Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare. Zaman emphasized that there are still many places that have yet to report their casualty numbers, leading to an expectation that the current figures will rise.

Jalalabad, known for its bustling trade due to its proximity to Pakistan, has a population of around 300,000. However, the metropolitan area is believed to be significantly larger. The architecture in the city includes many low-rise buildings made of concrete and brick, alongside rural homes constructed from mud and wood, often lacking proper structural integrity. This vulnerability likely contributed to the extent of the damage.

This earthquake follows another significant seismic event in Afghanistan, when a magnitude 6.3 quake struck the region on October 7, 2023. That earlier earthquake resulted in a high number of casualties, with the Taliban government estimating at least 4,000 deaths, while the United Nations reported about 1,500 fatalities. The recent earthquake marks one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit Afghanistan in recent history.

Currently, the humanitarian situation is dire, as communities grapple with the aftermath of the quake. Aid organizations and local authorities are mobilizing resources to assist those affected, but challenges remain due to the remote locations of many impacted villages. The international community may need to respond to support recovery efforts as conditions evolve.

As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on providing immediate relief to those in need and assessing the full impact of this devastating earthquake.