A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing more than 600 people and injuring at least 1,000. The tremor’s epicentre was located 27km from Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, shaking nearby Kunar, Laghman, and even the capital Kabul.
Afghanistan, situated along several active fault lines, is prone to frequent earthquakes, especially in its mountainous eastern regions. Poor infrastructure, fragile housing, and limited emergency response capacity make such disasters particularly devastating for the population.
Rescue operations are underway in Nangarhar, Kunar, and Laghman provinces, where many homes have collapsed. Emergency teams are working through rubble to locate survivors, but access to remote villages remains difficult due to damaged roads and aftershocks. Hospitals in Jalalabad are overwhelmed with casualties, and urgent calls for medical supplies have been made.
The disaster places additional strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile governance and humanitarian situation. Regional countries such as Pakistan and Iran may play a role in immediate relief, while the international community faces pressure to provide emergency aid despite political complexities with the Taliban-led government.
Thousands have been left homeless, with families forced to spend nights outdoors in harsh conditions. Children and the elderly are among the most vulnerable, and aid agencies warn of food, shelter, and medicine shortages. Legal concerns also arise over aid delivery in Taliban-controlled areas, potentially limiting international assistance.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern and mobilized emergency relief teams. Pakistan offered condolences and pledged cross-border assistance, while humanitarian organizations including the Red Crescent have called for urgent global support. The Taliban authorities appealed for international aid, stressing that domestic resources are insufficient to handle the scale of the disaster.
As rescue efforts continue, the death toll is expected to rise. Afghanistan faces one of its deadliest earthquakes in recent years, with survivors now confronting displacement, shortages, and uncertainty. The international response in the coming days will be crucial in determining the scale of recovery.
