A strong earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, causing widespread destruction. The tremors were felt across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India, including Delhi-NCR, where many residents reported the shaking. The National Centre for Seismology recorded the quake at 11:47 pm local time, with its epicentre at a depth of 160 kilometres. Several aftershocks followed soon after, intensifying the damage and fear among people in the affected regions.
Reports confirm that more than 800 people have lost their lives, while over 2,800 have been injured. Many of the victims were from villages in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, where at least three villages were completely destroyed. The Health Ministry has stated that the number of casualties could rise further as rescue operations continue and more remote areas are reached. In one village alone, around 30 people were killed, reflecting the scale of devastation.
Hospitals in nearby regions are overwhelmed, struggling to manage the sudden inflow of patients. The situation has been worsened by Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure, with mud and stone structures collapsing instantly under the quake’s force. Rescue teams are facing difficulties due to poor connectivity and limited resources, making the relief efforts slow and challenging.
So far, no foreign government has officially announced assistance, though international support is expected in the coming days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and said that India is prepared to extend humanitarian aid and relief. This earthquake has once again highlighted Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly due to its location on the active tectonic boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
In recent years, the country has faced repeated tragedies from such seismic activity. In October 2023, a series of earthquakes measuring up to 6.3 magnitude killed thousands, with Afghan officials reporting over 4,000 deaths. The current disaster has further deepened the suffering of people already struggling with instability, poverty, and limited healthcare facilities. Afghanistan remains one of the most earthquake-prone regions in Asia, making recovery and rebuilding an uphill task for its people.
