A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake ripped through eastern Afghanistan late August 31, killing nearly 500 people and injuring more than a thousand, in one of the deadliest tremors to hit the country in recent years.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at 11:47 pm local time, with its epicenter located 27 kilometres northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province.
At a shallow depth of just 8 kilometres, the tremor unleashed massive destruction across mountainous districts, toppling homes and triggering landslides.
Kunar province worst hit
The Kunar Disaster Management Authority reported catastrophic damage in Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare districts, where hundreds of mud and stone houses were reduced to rubble.
In one Kunar village alone, at least 20 people were confirmed dead and 35 injured.
The Afghan health ministry cautioned that casualty figures remain fluid, with poor communications and blocked mountain roads slowing assessments.
Early reports suggest at least 330 people were injured in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces.
Taliban confirms ‘loss of life and property’
The Taliban government acknowledged widespread devastation, saying lives and homes had been lost across several eastern provinces.
Rescue teams from Kabul and neighbouring areas were deployed, while helicopters evacuated the wounded. Soldiers, medics, and residents scrambled to pull survivors from the debris.
Yet the scale of the tragedy is only beginning to emerge. Aftershocks rattled the region throu
gh the night, forcing terrified families into the open. “I counted at least 13 aftershocks. I have never seen such a strong earthquake in my life,” said Polad Noori, 28, from Nangarhar.
Calls for international assistance
The disaster strikes at a time when Afghanistan is already reeling from multiple humanitarian crises, reduced foreign aid, and mass deportations of its citizens from neighbouring countries.
The Taliban’s foreign office said no foreign government has yet reached out to provide rescue or relief support.
With mountain roads cut off and communications faltering, officials fear the death toll will climb further in the coming days.
