Hundreds murdered in Afghanistan robust earthquake

(MENAFN) A devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, killing at least 800 people and injuring more than 2,800, according to the country's Information Ministry. Officials warn the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.

The quake occurred around midnight local time, with its epicenter located near Jalalabad in Kunar Province, about 120 kilometers east of Kabul, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It was followed by a 4.5-magnitude aftershock and a second, stronger 5.2-magnitude tremor.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, confirmed the destruction, saying the quake had caused significant loss of life and property. He noted that emergency teams and residents are actively involved in search and rescue efforts, and that all available resources are being deployed to save lives.

Kunar Province, one of the hardest-hit areas, has seen widespread destruction, with entire villages reduced to rubble. Locals have reported children, the elderly, and other residents trapped beneath collapsed buildings. “Everyone is under the rubble,” one villager said, urging others to help with rescue efforts.

The Information Ministry reported casualties in multiple districts, including Nur Gal, Sawki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara. Authorities noted that damage assessments are still incomplete due to limited access to remote and mountainous areas.

Military helicopters and rescue teams have been mobilized to transport the injured and deliver emergency aid. With roads blocked and communication lines down, the full extent of the destruction may not be known for several days.

Taliban officials have called on international humanitarian organizations for urgent assistance, particularly medical supplies, tents, and rescue equipment. Iran has already offered to send aid.

This latest disaster comes less than two years after a deadly series of earthquakes in Herat Province in October 2023, which killed over 2,400 people, making it one of the country’s worst natural disasters in recent memory.

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