Additional Coverage:
Kabul, Afghanistan – A devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 250 people, according to officials. Hundreds more have been injured.
The quake, centered near the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province, occurred at a shallow depth of 8 kilometers (approximately 5 miles), amplifying its impact. The tremors were felt as far away as Kabul, over 100 miles from the epicenter, sending residents rushing into the streets in fear.
Rescue efforts are underway in the mountainous region near the Pakistan border, but access to remote communities has been hampered by landslides. State-run Bakhtar News Agency (BNA) reported that teams are working tirelessly to reach those affected. The death toll is feared to rise as rescue workers continue to navigate the challenging terrain.
The earthquake struck just before midnight, catching many residents off guard. The USGS estimates that nearly half a million people experienced strong to very strong shaking, capable of inflicting significant damage, particularly to less robust structures.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the casualties and damage on social media, stating that local officials, residents, and support teams from surrounding areas are working to rescue survivors. He pledged that all available resources would be dedicated to rescue and relief efforts.
The earthquake also sent tremors through parts of neighboring Pakistan, including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces. The USGS reported at least five aftershocks, the strongest registering a magnitude of 5.2. The agency issued an orange alert, indicating the likelihood of significant casualties and the potential need for a national or regional response.
This tragedy marks another in a long history of earthquakes to impact Afghanistan, particularly in the Hindu Kush region. In October 2023, a 6.3-magnitude quake in western Afghanistan claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people. This latest earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity.