Devastating Earthquake Claims Over 800 Lives in Afghanistan

A catastrophic earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan shortly before midnight on Sunday, leaving more than 800 people dead and nearly 3,000 injured, according to the United Nations' humanitarian agency. The 6.0 magnitude quake has caused widespread destruction, with the majority of casualties occurring in Kunar province. Officials caution that the death toll is likely to increase as entire villages have been obliterated.

The epicenter of the quake was in a remote, mountainous region, significantly hampering rescue efforts. "The extent of the destruction is beyond imagination," stated a Taliban official. This disaster compounds the ongoing challenges Afghanistan faces, including severe drought, aid reductions, and a severe hunger crisis.

The earthquake occurred at 23:47 local time (19:47 GMT) about 27 kilometers east of Jalalabad, the country's fifth-largest city in Nangarhar province. Faridullah Fazli, a resident of Asadabad, described the terrifying experience: "There was a very strong earthquake, accompanied by frightening sounds. We didn't sleep until morning. After the earthquake, there were small tremors, and there are still."

The most severe damage was reported in Kunar, a rugged, mountainous area with limited farmland. Homes in this region are typically constructed from clay, stones, and mud, making them vulnerable to such disasters. Recent flooding and landslides have further complicated access to affected areas, limiting rescue operations to aerial support due to blocked roads.

"Entire villages are flattened, and roads to deep mountainous areas are still closed," said a Taliban official from Kunar province. "Our priority now is to reach those injured rather than searching for the dead under the rubble." Rescuers have reported receiving messages from people trapped under the rubble, highlighting the urgent need for assistance.

Jalalabad's main hospital, already overwhelmed by the influx of tens of thousands of Afghan deportees from Pakistan, has been further strained by the earthquake. On Monday, the hospital was chaotic, with injured individuals, desperate relatives, and rescue teams scrambling to provide aid. A doctor reported that around 460 victims had been brought in, with 250 admitted and the rest treated and discharged.

Communications and coordination efforts are challenged by limited internet connectivity in the affected regions. Since August 2021, Afghanistan has been under Taliban control, with their government recognized only by Russia. Many aid agencies and non-governmental organizations suspended operations following the Taliban's return to power, and most foreign donations have been halted due to international sanctions and exemptions for humanitarian relief.

The Taliban government has appealed for aid following Sunday's earthquake. Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes due to its location on several fault lines. In 2023, a series of quakes in Herat province killed over 1,000 people, a year after a similar number of fatalities were reported in Paktika province. The latest earthquake was particularly deadly due to its shallow depth of 8 kilometers, felt as far as 140 kilometers away in Kabul and neighboring Pakistan.