Devastating Earthquake Claims 620 Lives in Eastern Afghanistan

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border around midnight, claiming numerous lives and marking it as the deadliest seismic event in the region since 2023, according to state-run Bakhtar News Agency. The quake hit the provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman, with Kunar reporting at least 610 deaths and over 1300 injuries, though officials warn the toll may rise as rescue operations continue in the rugged terrain.

The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter approximately 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad, at a shallow depth of 8 kilometers, amplifying the destruction. In Kunar, the districts of Nurgal, Chawkay, and Watapur suffered significant losses, with fragile mud-brick homes collapsing under the force of the tremor. Afghanistan’s location on the seismic fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes, often devastating its eastern and northeastern regions where infrastructure is limited and rescue efforts are hampered by mountainous landscapes.

Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahed confirmed the disaster’s impact via X, noting significant loss of life and property in the affected provinces. Rescue teams are actively working to locate survivors amidst ongoing challenges posed by poor infrastructure and remote locations. The quake’s timing, striking late at night, likely exacerbated the chaos, catching many residents unprepared.

In comparison, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in western Afghanistan in October 2023 killed around 1,500 people and injured 2,000, according to the United Nations, highlighting the country’s recurring vulnerability to such disasters. As search and rescue efforts persist, the full extent of the tragedy in Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman is still unfolding, with hopes pinned on saving those still trapped beneath the rubble.