Afghanistan Earthquake Death Toll Rises To 1,457 As Rescue Efforts Continue

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province has risen to 1,457, Taliban officials confirmed on Thursday, four days after the disaster.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban, said at least 3,394 people were injured, while more than 6,782 homes were destroyed across Kunar and neighboring Nangarhar.

Rescue workers are still pulling bodies from beneath the rubble, with officials acknowledging that the recovery operation remains far from complete. Survivors continue to face shortages of food, water, and medical care.

Taliban authorities claim that humanitarian assistance has reached many families and that roads to remote quake-hit areas have been reopened. They also reported that specialized rescue teams from several countries have joined ongoing operations.

Despite these assurances, residents and aid workers say relief efforts remain slow and uneven. The difficult mountainous terrain and widespread damage have made it hard to reach communities most in need.

International organizations, including the Red Cross and the World Health Organization, along with aid shipments from Turkey, Iran, India, and Japan, are working to support local operations. Relief agencies warn that access challenges are delaying critical supplies and medical assistance.

The earthquake is among Afghanistan's deadliest in recent years, exposing once again the country's fragile infrastructure and limited disaster response capacity. With thousands displaced, immediate international aid remains vital to prevent further loss of life.

Humanitarian groups stress that long-term recovery planning is essential. Without sustained global support, affected communities risk enduring years of hardship long after the initial rescue operations have ended.

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