Earthquake in Afghanistan Leaves More Than 800 Dead, Thousands Injured

Earthquake in Afghanistan Leaves More Than 800 Dead, Thousands Injured

KABUL, Afghanistan — A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, killing more than 800 people and injuring at least 2,500, officials said, in one of the deadliest natural disasters the country has faced in decades.

The quake, which the U.S. Geological Survey measured at 6.9 magnitude, hit mountainous terrain near the border with Pakistan. Remote villages bore the brunt of the destruction, where mud-brick homes collapsed and landslides blocked narrow roads, delaying rescue teams for crucial hours.

A Race Against Time

Emergency crews, supported by local residents, dug through rubble with their hands and rudimentary tools in search of survivors. Helicopters ferried the injured to hospitals in Kabul and Jalalabad, though authorities warned that many areas remain cut off due to damaged roads.

“Entire families have been wiped out, and entire villages are in mourning,” said Abdul Wahid, a provincial official in Khost. “We fear the death toll will climb as rescuers reach the hardest-hit districts.”

The Afghan Red Crescent said more than 2,000 homes were destroyed, with thousands more damaged, leaving tens of thousands of people without shelter.

Humanitarian Strain

The disaster strikes Afghanistan at a time of widespread hardship, with international sanctions and an economic crisis already straining the health system. Local hospitals quickly became overwhelmed, with doctors treating patients in courtyards and tents.

United Nations agencies have pledged emergency aid, including medical supplies, blankets, and temporary shelters. Pakistan also announced it would send rescue workers and humanitarian assistance across the border.

Global Condolences

Expressions of sympathy and pledges of support poured in from around the world. The European Union, India, and several Gulf states said they were preparing relief shipments, while U.S. officials said they were “closely monitoring the situation” and coordinating with humanitarian partners.

Looking Ahead

For survivors, the immediate challenge is shelter, food, and clean water. Aid workers warn that with many people forced to sleep outdoors, exposure could worsen casualties, especially for children and the elderly.

“This tragedy is a reminder of Afghanistan’s vulnerability, not only to conflict but to natural disasters,” said Ramiz Alakbarov, the U.N.’s humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan. “The response will require urgent international solidarity.”

The government has declared three days of national mourning as search-and-rescue efforts continue, though officials caution that the full scale of the devastation may not be known for weeks.