A major earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 800 people and injuring over 2,800 others. The 6.0 magnitude quake hit around midnight local time on Monday, with its shallow epicenter located in the mountainous Kunar province. The tremors were also felt strongly in the neighboring province of Nangarhar, making it one of the deadliest seismic events to hit the country in recent years.
Rescue operations are facing significant challenges due to the region’s difficult terrain and inclement weather. The provincial head of disaster management, Ehsanullah Ehsan, stated that efforts are now focused on reaching remote mountain villages where mudbrick homes have been flattened. Narrow, debris-blocked roads are preventing vehicle access, forcing authorities to use machinery to clear paths and helicopters to airlift the injured and deliver essential aid.
The catastrophe places immense strain on Afghanistan’s resources. The World Health Organisation reported that over 12,000 people have been affected and the local healthcare capacity is completely overwhelmed. The Taliban administration, already grappling with a severe economic crisis, has deployed soldiers to provide help and security. National and international organisations are coordinating on the ground to distribute aid in an orderly manner and mitigate secondary risks, such as water contamination from animal carcasses.
Afghanistan is highly prone to earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range where tectonic plates meet. This disaster echoes a similar 6.1-magnitude quake that struck the eastern region in 2022, which killed 1,000 people and was the first major natural disaster faced by the current Taliban government. The event highlights the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters amidst complex humanitarian and economic challenges.
