KABUL, Afghanistan:
A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, leaving at least nine people dead and dozens injured, with officials fearing the toll could rise sharply as rescue operations continue in the quake-hit regions.
According to Afghanistan’s disaster management authorities, the quake’s epicenter was near Jalalabad, close to the border with Pakistan, at a shallow depth that intensified its destructive force. Residents across eastern provinces, including Kunar and Nangarhar, reported violent tremors that shook homes and sent panicked families running into the streets.
The tremors were also felt in Islamabad, Peshawar, and as far as New Delhi, highlighting the quake’s wide reach. Several aftershocks, some strong, have been reported, adding to the fear and damage in already vulnerable mountainous communities.
Local officials reported that villages in remote, hilly districts have been flattened, with many residents still trapped under rubble. Emergency teams and volunteers are racing against time, but damaged roads, landslides, and difficult terrain are hampering rescue and relief efforts.
Medical teams have been dispatched from nearby districts, and hospitals in Jalalabad and surrounding areas are overwhelmed with the injured. Authorities have issued appeals for urgent humanitarian support, including medical supplies, tents, and food for survivors left homeless by the quake.
This devastating earthquake once again highlights the region’s vulnerability, where poor construction standards and fragile infrastructure make rural communities particularly susceptible to seismic disasters. Experts warn that with aftershocks continuing, residents must remain cautious as the risk of further collapses persists.
This is not the first time the region has suffered from a natural disaster of this scale. Eastern Afghanistan lies on a major fault line, and past earthquakes have caused catastrophic damage, including the 2022 quake that killed more than a thousand people.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.