Over 900 Dead as Devastating Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan
Eastern Afghanistan, September 3, 2025 –
Rescue teams are racing against time to save survivors after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, flattening homes and leaving over 900 people dead. The quake, which hit late Sunday near the Pakistan border, triggered at least five aftershocks, compounding the destruction.
Villagers joined rescue efforts, digging through rubble with their hands to reach trapped residents. Many victims, including children, were laid to rest by grieving families amid scenes of heartbreak and devastation.
The earthquake, with its epicenter just 27 kilometers from Jalalabad and a shallow depth of eight kilometers, caused severe damage to the region’s mud-brick homes, highlighting the vulnerability of local infrastructure. Some of the hardest-hit villages remain inaccessible due to blocked roads, complicating relief efforts.
Officials report that Kunar province bore the brunt of the disaster, with 900-950 fatalities and 3,000 injured, while Nangarhar province reported 12 dead and 255 injured. Laghman province also faced dozens of injuries. Many victims are among the four million Afghans who recently returned from Iran and Pakistan.
Humanitarian Response
The United Nations has mobilized $5 million in initial aid, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pledging further support. Pakistan has also extended assistance, sending medical supplies, relief teams, tents, and food to affected areas. Hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are prepared to treat injured Afghan victims, with provincial authorities emphasizing solidarity during this humanitarian crisis.
Eyewitness Accounts
In Nurgal district, 14-year-old Akhlaq survived while five members of his family perished. “Our whole house collapsed. I managed to rescue my father, but many others are still trapped under rubble,” he said.
Afghanistan’s mountainous regions are prone to seismic activity, with the Hindu Kush range frequently experiencing powerful quakes. In recent years, the country has suffered similar disasters, including a 6.3-magnitude quake in Herat in 2023, which killed over 1,500 people.
Authorities and international agencies are working urgently to evacuate the injured and deliver relief to remote communities. With infrastructure damaged and roads blocked, emergency teams face enormous challenges, but efforts continue around the clock to save lives.
