Death toll rises to 1,000 as powerful earthquake devastates Afghanistan

The death toll from the massive earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday has risen to nearly 1,000, officials confirmed Tuesday, with fears the figure could climb higher as rescue operations continue in remote, mountainous regions.

Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Health Ministry, told Shamshad TV that most of the casualties were reported in Kunar province, where entire villages have been flattened. More than 3,000 others have been injured across the affected provinces, according to officials of the interim administration.
The earthquake, recorded by the US Geological Survey (USGS) at 11:47 p.m. local time, measured a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers (5 miles) and struck 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad. The shallow depth amplified the tremors’ destructive power, hitting hardest while most residents were asleep.
In Kunar province, the epicenter of destruction, local authorities reported widespread collapse of homes in the districts of Nur Gal, Sawki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara. Abdul Ghani, spokesperson for the interim administration in Kunar, said dozens of families remain trapped beneath rubble. “The death toll may rise further as many are still buried under collapsed houses,” he warned.
Emergency teams and medical units were dispatched on Monday, with Kabul promising additional supplies and support. However, rescuers face severe challenges in reaching isolated communities due to damaged infrastructure, rugged terrain, and limited resources. Survivors have been seen digging through debris with their hands in the absence of heavy machinery.
Nangarhar, Laghman, and Panjshir provinces have also reported casualties and severe property damage. This disaster marks the third major earthquake to strike Afghanistan since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters amid ongoing humanitarian crises.
The international community has begun mobilizing support. Neighboring countries including Pakistan, Iran, China, and India have pledged relief assistance, while Western nations are also preparing aid shipments. Humanitarian agencies warn, however, that Afghanistan’s fragile economy, shortages of medical supplies, and restricted international funding could hamper recovery efforts.
Experts note that Afghanistan’s mountainous regions are highly prone to earthquakes, but the country’s weak infrastructure, widespread poverty, and decades of war make disasters far deadlier than in other regions. With thousands now homeless and winter approaching in a matter of months, aid groups say urgent shelter, food, and medical supplies are critical to prevent a secondary humanitarian catastrophe.