Afghanistan Earthquake Kills 500 and Injures 1,000 in Eastern Provinces

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Eastern Afghanistan was shaken late on Sunday night by a powerful earthquake that has left communities devastated. According to the country’s state-run broadcaster, around 500 people have been killed and more than 1,000 others injured. The tremor struck near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province and was felt across neighboring Kunar, where much of the destruction has been reported.

Villages Flattened in Remote Districts

Entire villages in mountainous areas of Kunar province have been reduced to rubble. Local disaster management officials said districts including Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare suffered the heaviest damage. Homes built with mud and stone walls collapsed within seconds, leaving families trapped under the debris. Rescue workers and local residents are using basic tools and their hands to dig through the ruins in search of survivors.

Casualties and Medical Emergency

Health officials in Kabul confirmed that the casualty figures are still being updated as rescue teams gain access to remote areas. Hospitals in Nangarhar and Kunar have been overwhelmed with injured people, many of them women and children. Temporary medical camps are being set up to handle the rush of patients, while ambulances continue to bring in survivors from villages where roads remain partially blocked by landslides.

Geological Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 6.0 with a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers. Shallow quakes tend to cause greater damage, especially in regions with poorly built housing and fragile infrastructure. Aftershocks, including one measuring 4.5, added to the fear among residents and complicated relief efforts already slowed by damaged terrain.

Rescue Challenges Ahead

Emergency crews face enormous obstacles. Many of the worst-hit villages are in hilly terrain, where access is limited and communication networks are unreliable. Roads have been damaged, making it difficult to transport heavy equipment needed for search operations. Despite these challenges, teams from the affected provinces and Kabul are working round the clock to assist survivors and recover bodies.

The earthquake highlights once again Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters. In a country already grappling with economic hardship and limited infrastructure, the scale of destruction is expected to place severe pressure on local authorities and aid organizations in the coming days.