September 1st, 2025 - Afghanistan Earthquake Kills Over 800

More than 800 people were killed and 2,500 injured after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday night, officials reported on Monday. Rescue workers are struggling to reach remote valleys where communities remain isolated by mountainous terrain. Authorities warned the death toll could rise as recovery efforts continue.

The epicenter was near Jalalabad, a city of around 200,000 people, but most of the damage occurred in Kunar Province, north of the city, where dozens of mud and brick villages were hit. Residents of Kabul, less than 100 miles away, felt aftershocks throughout the night, though no major damage was reported in the capital.

Shallow in depth—just five miles below the surface—the quake’s tremors caused widespread destruction. Many residents rushed in the middle of the night to rescue neighbors trapped under collapsed houses, as videos circulated on social media showing frantic relief efforts.

Rescue operations were hampered by steep terrain and landslides. Homa Nader of the Red Cross said it took teams four hours overnight to reach Nur Gal district, only 35 miles from Jalalabad. By Monday afternoon, roads were reopened, allowing ambulances to reach affected areas and transport victims to hospitals in Jalalabad. Some villages, like Mazar Dara, remained accessible only by helicopter.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid reported that Kunar Province alone suffered 800 deaths and 2,500 injuries, while Nangarhar Province saw at least 12 killed and 255 injured. Earthquakes are a common hazard in the region, with prior quakes in 2022 causing over 1,300 deaths.

The disaster comes amid overlapping crises for Afghanistan. Many hospitals have closed due to reduced international aid, and over 2.3 million Afghan nationals have recently returned from Pakistan and Iran. The earthquake struck just as migrants were traveling back to Afghanistan, complicating relief efforts.

International support is slowly arriving. Iran, India, Japan, and the European Union have committed aid, while the U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed condolences and promised full mobilization to assist those affected. Despite ongoing challenges, local communities and aid organizations continue their urgent work to help survivors.

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Image credit: Reuters