Kabul, Afghanistan – September 1, 2025
A powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake and multiple aftershocks struck a remote, mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, resulting in widespread devastation and a confirmed death toll of over 800. The shallow quake, with its epicenter located near the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, flattened homes made of mud and stone, trapping and killing entire families as they slept. Taliban authorities have reported over 2,500 injuries, with the number of casualties expected to rise as rescue teams struggle to reach cut-off villages. The disaster exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis in the country, which is grappling with reduced international aid and economic hardship.
Headlines:
* Midnight Tragedy: Deadly Quake Hits Eastern Afghanistan, Villages Leveled.
* Massive Rescue Operation: Teams Battle Blocked Roads and Debris to Reach Survivors.
* Humanitarian Crisis Deepens: International Aid Organizations Race to Provide Relief.
* Global Response: Countries Including India Offer Support as Casualties Mount.
The earthquake struck at approximately 11:47 PM local time, at a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers. This shallow depth amplified the shaking, causing significant damage across multiple districts in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar. The most severe casualties were reported in Kunar, particularly in the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, and Watpur, where many villages were almost entirely destroyed. The timing of the quake, which occurred while most residents were in their homes, contributed to the high number of fatalities. Witnesses reported a deep, thunderous boom followed by buildings shaking violently for several seconds.
Rescue efforts are underway, but they are severely hampered by the remote and rugged terrain. Landslides have blocked key roads, forcing aid workers to travel for hours on foot to reach affected communities. Helicopters are being used to airlift the most critically injured to hospitals in Jalalabad and Asadabad, but many remain trapped under the rubble. Local hospitals are overstretched and running low on essential medical supplies like saline, IV fluids, and bandages.
International organizations, including the United Nations, the British Red Cross, and the World Food Programme (WFP), have mobilized to provide emergency assistance. The UN Humanitarian Air Service has scheduled additional flights to transport personnel and cargo. WFP is rushing high-energy biscuits and other food aid to the region, while other groups are preparing to distribute tents, blankets, and hygiene kits. However, the humanitarian response is taking place against a backdrop of a severe funding crisis for aid efforts in Afghanistan.
The quake has once again highlighted Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters. The country is located at the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, making it prone to frequent seismic activity. This recent tragedy follows a series of deadly quakes in the western part of the country last year, which killed over 1,000 people. This latest disaster adds to the immense challenges facing the Afghan people, who are already dealing with years of conflict and economic instability. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and offered to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected.
