A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck eastern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least 250 people and injuring more than 400. The strong tremors were felt as far away as Pakistan, causing widespread destruction in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar.
Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue operations are currently in progress to find survivors trapped under the rubble. According to Health Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman, the number of casualties is expected to rise as rescue teams work in remote and difficult-to-access areas. Initial reports had confirmed at least 30 deaths in a single village, but the toll has since been updated, with hundreds feared to be dead.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake, with a shallow depth of 8 km (5 miles), had its epicenter near the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province. A 4.5-magnitude aftershock occurred about 20 minutes later in the same area. The shallow depth of the quake is believed to have contributed to the severe damage. The UN has stated that its aid teams are on the ground providing emergency assistance to the affected communities.
A History of Deadly Earthquakes
This earthquake is the deadliest to hit Afghanistan since a 6.3-magnitude quake in 2023, which was followed by powerful aftershocks. While the Taliban government claimed that the 2023 quake killed around 4,000 people, the United Nations’ data put the death toll at approximately 1,500.
Afghanistan is highly prone to earthquakes due to its location on the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range.