Devastating Earthquake Rocks Eastern Afghanistan, Claiming Hundreds of Lives

Wed Oct 22 2025 18:19:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A powerful earthquake in Afghanistan has resulted in significant loss of life, with hundreds dead and thousands injured. The Afghan government is mobilizing resources for search and rescue in the affected regions.

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, particularly affecting Kunar province, resulting in approximately 800 fatalities and over 2,500 injuries. As emergency efforts ramp up, survivors share harrowing accounts of destruction, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid. The fallout from this disaster has further deepened the existing humanitarian crisis in the region.

In a tragic episode for Afghanistan, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck eastern regions late Sunday night, claiming the lives of at least 800 people and injuring more than 2,500, according to the Taliban government. Major devastation occurred in Kunar province, particularly in the district of Nurgal, where many homes were reduced to rubble.

Eyewitnesses report frantic scenes as residents dug through the debris in search of their loved ones. One local resident described the devastation, stating, Almost the entire village is destroyed. Children and the elderly are trapped under the rubble. Another survivor shared his horror of witnessing neighboring houses collapse, while he desperately attempted to rescue his family.

The earthquake struck at 11:47 p.m. local time and was centered just east of the city of Jalalabad, as per the U.S. Geological Survey. The shallow depth of the quake contributed to the extensive damage, especially in rural areas where homes are often poorly constructed using local materials such as mud bricks.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced that search and rescue operations are a priority, mobilizing emergency teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and even the capital, Kabul. Medical evacuations are underway from Nangarhar airport to treat the injured.

The earthquake's impact has been compounded by existing challenges faced by the population, exacerbated by ongoing drought conditions and humanitarian needs. Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized the urgent call for international support, noting that this disaster adds to the hardships already experienced by Afghans.

The tremors were also felt in parts of neighboring Pakistan, though no casualties were reported there. As recovery efforts continue, officials fear that the death toll will rise as rescue teams gain more access to remote areas affected by the quake.

This tragic event follows another deadly earthquake that struck Afghanistan in October 2023, illustrating the profound vulnerabilities faced by the people in this conflict-ridden nation.