Afghanistan Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 800 As Rescue Efforts Intensify

The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan has surged past 800, the Taliban government said on Monday, as rescue teams race against time to save survivors in the remote, mountainous regions.

“Some 800 people died and another 2,500 were injured in Kunar,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a press conference in Kabul. The majority of the casualties were reported in this hard-hit province, where numerous homes and buildings have been flattened.

In neighbouring Nangarhar province, the toll has remained steady at 12 dead and 255 injured, he added.

AFGHANISTAN 🇦🇫 Afghanistan Earthquake Today: Fatalities Rise to 622, Rescue Efforts Intensify in Remote AreasAugust 31,2025The Taliban government reported at least 610 fatalities in Kunar province, with an additional 12 deaths in Nangarhar province, bringing the total... twitter/vBgAxzAs1e

- Abhay (@AstuteGaba) September 1, 2025

Massive Rescue Efforts Underway

A massive rescue operation was launched immediately after the earthquake, with both Taliban authorities and the United Nations mobilizing teams to the hardest-hit areas.

“The UN in Afghanistan is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern region & claimed hundreds of lives,” the UN said on X, adding that teams were on the ground“delivering emergency assistance & lifesaving support.”

The UN in Afghanistan is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern region & claimed hundreds of lives, injuring many more. Our teams are on the ground, delivering emergency assistance & lifesaving support. Our thoughts are with the affected communities twitter/rCE6b3WzSU

- UN Afghanistan (@unafghanistan) September 1, 2025

Quake Details and Aftershocks

The earthquake struck just before midnight near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province. The US Geological Survey reported the epicentre was only 27 kilometres from the city, at a relatively shallow depth of eight kilometres-a factor that contributed to the heavy destruction.

Shallow quakes like this are known to cause more damage than deeper ones. The tremors were followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 5.2-magnitude quake at around 4:00 am local time.

Afghanistan's Vulnerability

Afghanistan is prone to frequent earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. The region is already grappling with a humanitarian crisis after decades of conflict.

Flooding had also struck parts of Nangarhar province just days earlier, killing five people and destroying crops and property, leaving communities even more vulnerable.

A Nation Struggling

In June 2022, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake in Paktika province killed over 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless. Foreign aid to Afghanistan has dwindled since the Taliban's return to power, leaving the nation ill-equipped to respond to such disasters.

The human cost is staggering, and families across Kunar and Nangarhar are reeling from the loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.

Past disasters offer a grim reminder of Afghanistan's vulnerability. In 2015, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake claimed more than 380 lives in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Among them, 12 young Afghan girls tragically lost their lives in a stampede while trying to flee their school building.

As rescue operations continue, the international community watches closely, hoping urgent aid can reach the devastated regions and alleviate the suffering of thousands.

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