A Deadly Quake Strikes the Borderlands
Eastern Afghanistan was rocked by a powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake late Tuesday night, leaving widespread destruction across mountainous provinces bordering Pakistan. The shallow depth of the quake—measured at between 8 and 10 kilometers—intensified its impact, leveling villages and killing at least 622 people, according to figures released by Afghanistan’s Taliban-run interior ministry. More than 1,500 others have been injured, and officials warn that the numbers will likely climb as emergency teams reach remote areas.
Epicenter and Scale of Destruction
The tremor was felt across a wide region, including parts of neighboring Pakistan. However, the brunt of the devastation struck Kunar and Nangarhar, provinces marked by steep terrain and vulnerable infrastructure. Homes made of mud and stone, typical of rural Afghan construction, crumbled within seconds of the quake.
Residents described the horror of the night. “We heard the ground roar, then everything collapsed around us. My family is buried under the rubble,” said Abdul Rahman, a farmer from Nangarhar province who spoke by phone to local journalists.
Provincial officials reported that several villages have been completely destroyed, with some communities left almost entirely homeless. Initial images and videos circulating on Afghan media show families digging through rubble with their bare hands, searching for survivors and the bodies of loved ones.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Terrain and Resources
Rescue operations are underway, but the rugged geography of eastern Afghanistan poses a daunting challenge. Helicopters have been deployed to airlift the injured to hospitals, while medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and the capital, Kabul, are treating the wounded in makeshift emergency wards.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that it has mobilized emergency aid, including medical supplies, shelter materials, and food rations. However, limited road access, ongoing aftershocks, and Afghanistan’s fragile health system are slowing efforts.
The Taliban government has formally appealed for international assistance, urging aid agencies and foreign governments to step in. “We do not have sufficient resources to respond to a disaster of this scale,” said Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement.
Aftershocks and Fear Among Survivors
The initial 6.0 quake was followed by multiple aftershocks, including magnitudes 4.5 and 5.2. Many survivors have chosen to sleep outside despite freezing night temperatures, fearful that weakened buildings could collapse.
Earthquake experts warn that aftershocks could continue for days, further endangering recovery efforts and adding psychological trauma for survivors.
A Country Already in Crisis
The disaster has struck Afghanistan at a time of severe economic and humanitarian crisis. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, international aid has sharply declined, sanctions have crippled the economy, and millions of Afghans face hunger and unemployment. According to the United Nations, more than 23 million Afghans already rely on humanitarian assistance to survive.
“This earthquake is a crisis on top of a crisis,” said Richard Bennett, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan. “The Afghan people were already struggling with poverty, food shortages, and limited access to healthcare. Now thousands more are displaced and in urgent need of shelter.”
Regional and Historical Context
Afghanistan is no stranger to devastating earthquakes. The country lies along several active fault lines, making it one of the most seismically vulnerable regions in Asia.
- In June 2022, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Paktika province, killing over 1,000 people and injuring thousands more.
- In 1998, two major quakes in the north of the country killed more than 6,000 people.
Experts say that poorly built housing and limited emergency infrastructure magnify the toll of even moderate quakes.
International Response and Outlook
Humanitarian agencies across the region are preparing to send supplies. Neighboring Pakistan’s government has expressed condolences and offered medical assistance. Relief organizations, including the Red Crescent Society, are coordinating with local authorities to deliver tents, blankets, and food aid.
Despite the rapid mobilization, analysts caution that sustained international engagement will be essential. “Initial aid is critical, but rebuilding entire communities requires long-term commitment,” said Kate Clark, co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network. “Without global support, recovery will be slow and painful.”
The Road Ahead
As survivors begin to bury their dead and rescue teams continue to search through rubble, the full scale of the Afghanistan earthquake is only beginning to emerge. With hundreds of villages affected, thousands displaced, and winter looming, the humanitarian outlook is bleak.
For many Afghans, the quake is yet another tragedy in a country long battered by war, poverty, and natural disasters.
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