A massive earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, has caused widespread destruction. Initial reports indicate over 800 fatalities and more than 2,500 injuries. Rescue efforts are underway, but the death toll is feared to rise further. Afghan residents are desperately searching through the debris for missing family members.
The earthquake struck late Sunday, with tremors felt in multiple towns in Kunar province, close to Jalalabad city in Nangarhar province. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter was 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad, with a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers. Shallow earthquakes often cause significant damage. Numerous aftershocks followed the initial tremor.
Footage shows rescuers evacuating injured individuals by helicopter and people desperately digging through rubble with their bare hands.
Taliban government spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid announced on Monday that the death toll had reached 800, with over 2,500 injured, the majority in Kunar province.
Buildings in Afghanistan are commonly constructed with low-quality materials like concrete, bricks, mud bricks, and wood, particularly in rural areas. Many structures are poorly built.
Nurgal district in Kunar province has suffered significant damage, with a resident reporting the near-total destruction of the village. One victim described the heartbreaking situation: “Children are buried under the rubble… the elderly are under the rubble… the youth are under the rubble.” He pleaded for aid, “We need help here… Let’s get the buried people out. There is no one to remove the bodies.”
One survivor described the collapse of homes and the cries for help. The mountainous and remote nature of eastern Afghanistan has further hampered communication. Another survivor witnessed homes collapsing and people calling for assistance.
Sadiqullah, a resident of Nargal’s Maja Dara area, was awakened by a powerful explosion. He immediately rushed to his children, rescuing three. However, as he prepared to return for the rest of his family, the structure collapsed on him.
He recounted from Nangarhar Hospital, “I was half-buried and couldn’t get out. My wife and two sons are dead… My father is injured… We were trapped for 3-4 hours.” He described the sensation as if the entire mountain was moving.
Sharafat Zaman, a Ministry of Health spokesperson, stated that rescue operations continue, with medical teams deployed from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kabul. He added that the final casualty figures are anticipated to fluctuate as more information becomes available.
Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban government’s chief spokesperson, confirmed that all available resources are being utilized to save lives. Jalalabad, due to its proximity to Pakistan and the primary border crossing, is a major commercial hub. While the municipal population is estimated at 300,000, the metropolitan area is considerably larger. The region also thrives on agriculture, including citrus fruits and rice, and is traversed by the Kabul River.
Previously, on October 7, 2023, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake resulted in thousands of fatalities. The Taliban estimated a death toll of around 4,000, while the United Nations estimated around 1,500. This was the most devastating recent natural disaster in Afghanistan.