By | PR Network
Kabul: A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday at 11:47 pm local time, leaving behind a trail of destruction across several provinces. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located around 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, with a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers—making it especially devastating.
State-run broadcaster Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) reported around 500 deaths and over 1,000 injuries in the initial hours following the quake. However, the Afghan public health ministry said the exact casualty figures remain uncertain due to poor communication networks and blocked access to remote villages. The worst-hit areas are in Kunar province, including the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare, where hundreds of homes have been damaged or completely destroyed. Local BBC reports from Kunar villages suggest at least 20 deaths and 35 injuries in a single settlement alone, while preliminary figures indicate 80 injuries in Laghman and 250 in Nangarhar province.
Residents across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces spent the night outdoors after experiencing multiple aftershocks. An eyewitness from Nangarhar reported feeling at least 13 tremors by midnight, describing the panic as families abandoned their homes for safety.
Rescue efforts have been severely hampered by the region’s rugged geography. With nearly 90 percent of Kunar province covered by mountains, landslides triggered by the quake have blocked narrow roads, cutting off aid convoys and delaying emergency assistance. Provincial officials have requested helicopters to bypass blocked routes, but night operations remain dangerous, further slowing relief efforts.
Authorities have yet to release a final toll as rescue teams continue to clear debris and reach isolated villages. Humanitarian agencies are assessing the situation, while the Afghan government faces mounting challenges in coordinating relief work in difficult terrain under ongoing aftershocks
