Kabul/Jalalabad – September 1, 2025:
A devastating magnitude-6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing at least 812 people and injuring more than 2,800 across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Entire villages were flattened as rescuers battled heavy rain, landslides, and blocked roads to reach survivors in the mountainous border region.
Afghan authorities warned that the death toll could rise as remote areas remained inaccessible. The Taliban administration, already under pressure due to shrinking international aid, appealed for urgent global assistance. “Many families have lost lives and homes. We urgently need support,” health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman said.
Witnesses described a night of fear and destruction. “We spent the whole night in anxiety, waiting for another tremor,” said Ziaul Haq, a student in Jalalabad. Rescue teams, backed by military helicopters, ferried the wounded to hospitals as local residents dug through rubble with their hands.
The quake razed three villages in Kunar, causing the bulk of the casualties. The disaster comes as Afghanistan continues to struggle with economic collapse and reduced foreign funding, with humanitarian aid falling sharply from $3.8 billion in 2022 to just $767 million this year.
International concern quickly followed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and extended Pakistan’s “all possible support” to Afghanistan, saying hearts in Pakistan “go out to the victims and their families.” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also conveyed condolences to Afghan acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi, reaffirming Islamabad’s solidarity and readiness to assist.
This marks Afghanistan’s third major earthquake since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Experts say the country remains highly vulnerable due to its location in the Hindu Kush mountain range and weak mud-brick housing that cannot withstand tremors.
