Deadly Magnitude-6 Earthquake Hits Eastern Afghanistan, Over 1,400 Dead
A powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan over the weekend, killing more than 1,400 people and injuring over 3,300, making it one of the deadliest quakes in decades. The hardest-hit areas are Kunar province, with additional casualties reported in nearby Nangarhar and Laghman provinces.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by landslides and the region’s rugged terrain. Many remote villages remain cut off, leaving survivors trapped under rubble. Local officials reported that some areas have still not received aid.
Emergency teams, including helicopters organized by the Taliban government, have evacuated around 2,000 injured residents to regional hospitals. Small mobile clinics are providing emergency care in affected villages, although shelters for displaced residents are limited.
Non-governmental organizations are working tirelessly despite the challenging conditions. Save the Children reported that aid teams had to walk up to 20 kilometres (12 miles) to reach isolated villages, carrying medical supplies with community assistance.
The World Health Organization warned that casualties could rise further as many remain trapped in destroyed buildings. The UN estimates that hundreds of thousands of people could be affected by the disaster.
Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis is being compounded by decades of conflict, extreme poverty, severe drought, and the recent return of millions of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. IFRC Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain said the earthquake “could not have come at a worse time,” adding that it deepens the country’s already fragile humanitarian situation.
Several countries have pledged assistance, but NGOs and the UN have expressed concern that funding shortfalls may hamper relief efforts.
