A devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, causing significant loss of life and widespread destruction. The epicenter, located near Jalalabad in the Nangarhar province, was just five miles deep, exacerbating the damage.
The Taliban government reported a death toll exceeding 800, with over 2,500 injuries. The majority of casualties were concentrated in Kunar province. Taliban officials described scenes of chaos and devastation, with many struggling to reach survivors in remote areas.
Initial reports indicated that many homes, primarily low-rise structures constructed from mud brick, concrete, and wood, collapsed. Many buildings were poorly constructed, which contributed to the significant damage. Rescuers worked tirelessly through the night, using helicopters to transport the injured while many others used their hands to search through the rubble.
A resident of Nurgal district, one of the hardest-hit areas in Kunar, described almost complete village destruction. He detailed finding children, elderly people, and young adults trapped under collapsed structures. He appealed for immediate assistance with rescue and recovery efforts.
Another survivor recounted witnessing homes collapse and hearing people screaming for help. The mountainous terrain and remote locations in eastern Afghanistan hampered rescue efforts and communication. Blocked roads forced aid workers to walk for hours to reach survivors. Dozens of flights transported the injured to hospitals in Nangarhar.
Sadiqullah, a resident of Maza Dara, recounted being awakened by a loud boom. He managed to save some of his children but was trapped under rubble when his home collapsed. He lost his wife and two sons in the tragedy and reported injuries to his father.
Sharafat Zaman, a health ministry spokesperson, confirmed rescue and medical teams’ deployment from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kabul. He also noted that the casualty figures were likely to increase as more information emerges from remote areas. The Taliban‘s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed the challenges in reaching remote villages and recovering the deceased.
Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, highlighted the earthquake’s impact on the already strained humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, urging international support for relief efforts. He noted the compounding factors of drought and the return of millions of Afghans from neighboring countries.
The International Rescue Committee anticipated the humanitarian needs following this earthquake to surpass those of the 2023 earthquake, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Sherine Ibrahim, the country director, detailed the challenges in accessing isolated communities and reported over 2,000 casualties in the first 12 hours. She emphasized the strain on aid efforts due to global funding cuts.
The tremors were felt in parts of Pakistan, but no casualties or damage were reported. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences and offered support to Afghanistan. This event comes amidst the backdrop of Pakistan‘s expulsion of tens of thousands of Afghan refugees in the past year. The UNHCR reported that over 1.2 million Afghans have been forced to return from Iran and Pakistan this year.
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