Late Sunday Earthquake Kills Hundreds in Eastern Afghanistan

Hundreds of people are dead and thousands more have been injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Sunday. Here is the latest on this developing situation in the Middle East.

Major Earthquake Leaves Hundreds Dead in Afghanistan

Rescue crews are on the scene in eastern Afghanistan after the major earthquake hit the mountainous region just before midnight. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake hit about 16 miles to the northeast of Jalalabad with a shallow depth of just under 5 miles. The major city of Jalalabad is located in the Nangarhar Province, while the worst of the casualties happened in the Kunar Province.

The Afghan Press Club confirmed that at least 800 people died and over 2,000 people were reportedly injured in the Kunar region, located near the border with Pakistan. Local officials are warning that the death toll is likely to rise in the coming days as crews sift through the rubble left behind.

Crews are finding challenges reaching some of the remote communities impacted by the earthquake. Additionally, the proliferation of landslides triggered by the quake has left roads damaged and unusable.

Video footage shows the wounded being pulled from helicopters and treated at a Jalalabad military base. Hospitals are overrun with injured people seeking treatment.

Residents reported feeling the jolt over 100 miles from the epicenter of the quake. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid went to social media to confirm the massive amount of casualties and economic damage. Mujahid said that officials are making every effort to find survivors. He also said that support teams from the capital city have been sent to assist.

The United Nations (UN) office in Afghanistan also pledged to support the rescue and recovery efforts.

Impacts Also Felt in Pakistan

Several communities in neighboring Pakistan also reported feeling the tremors generated by the earthquake. The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a statement detailing that the earthquake was felt in the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces.

According to the USGS, the region was then hit by at least five aftershocks. The most powerful aftershock came in with a magnitude of 5.2.

The Taliban-ruled country of Afghanistan has been dealing with a widespread hunger crisis in recent months. The impoverished nation has seen its humanitarian aid from the international community plummet. This includes cuts of over $1.7 billion worth of aid from the U.S.

Afghanistan is no stranger to devastating earthquakes. The most common breeding ground for these events is across the higher terrains of the Hindu Kush region. For instance, over 2,000 people lost their lives in October of 2023 when a 6.3-magnitude quake hit the western portion of the country. The steep terrain, weakened infrastructure, and geopolitical issues leave the region in a vulnerable position when natural disasters strike.

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