Afghanistan Earthquake Kills 800, Injures 2,500 in Nangarhar Region

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near Nangarhar Province late Sunday night, resulting in at least 800 deaths and over 2,500 injuries. The quake's shallow depth of 8 kilometers intensified the destruction across the rugged border region with Pakistan.

Rescue teams faced significant challenges reaching affected mountainous villages due to landslides and blocked roads. Helicopters became the main means for transporting the injured and delivering aid in hard-to-reach areas.

Earthquake devastation in Nangarhar Province

Several villages in the predominantly rural Nangarhar region were razed, with reports of entire communities destroyed. Officials confirmed that villages in the Sawkai district alone suffered dozens of casualties as residents continue to recover bodies from the rubble.

The Taliban-run interior ministry confirmed the death toll and highlighted the difficulty in assessing the full extent of damage, as remote areas remain inaccessible. Local health officials warn the casualty numbers could rise as rescue teams advance.

Did you know?
Afghanistan sits at the collision point of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world.

Rescue operations amid challenging terrain

Mountains and narrow roads, compounded by earthquake-triggered landslides, severely limited ground rescue access. Humanitarian groups and Taliban authorities are calling for international assistance, especially helicopters, to speed up aid delivery.

The United Nations has dispatched relief teams providing emergency supplies and support. Despite resource constraints, efforts persist to reach isolated populations with critical medical aid and food.

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Seismic vulnerability of Afghanistan

This earthquake is one of the deadliest in recent years for Afghanistan, a nation located in the active seismic zone where the Eurasian and Indian plates converge. The Hindu Kush mountains amplify earthquake effects due to geological stresses and shallow quake depths.

Previous quakes in 2023 caused thousands of deaths, and the current disaster worsens Afghanistan's ongoing humanitarian crisis. Economic sanctions and political instability complicate relief and recovery.

Forward-looking response and recovery efforts

Despite harsh conditions, rescue and relief operations continue with urgency. International cooperation and support remain crucial to preventing further loss of life and aiding long-term recovery.

Afghanistan's earthquake tragedy underscores the need for improved emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience in seismically active regions.