A 6.0-magnitude quake devastates eastern Afghanistan, killing 622 and injuring over 1,500. Rescue efforts underway amid mounting humanitarian crisis.

6.0-Magnitude Earthquake in Eastern Afghanistan Kills 622, Injures Over 1,500

Catastrophic Impact in Kunar and Nangarhar Provinces

At approximately 11:47 PM local time on August 31, 2025 (UTC+4:30), a powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, centered near Kuz Kunar in Kunar Province, close to the Pakistan border Wikipedia The Guardian Reuters. The quake’s tremors were felt widely—including in Jalalabad, the regional hub, and as far away as Kabul, Islamabad, Peshawar, and even Delhi.

Authorities have confirmed at least 622 fatalities and more than 1,500 injuries, with the hardest-hit areas in Kunar Province, followed by Nangarhar. The aftermath has exacerbated Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian challenges, stretching already depleted resources to the brink.

Rescue Operations Underway—Helicopters and Aid Teams Mobilized

Rescue teams, including military units and local authorities, have rushed to the devastated regions, facing daunting mountainous terrain and landslide-blocked roads. Helicopters have been vital—transporting roughly 420 injured and deceased to Jalalabad airport, from where they are being taken to hospitals.

Spokespersons from the Interior Ministry affirmed that “all teams” had been mobilized to deliver comprehensive assistance—including security, food, and medical care. Meanwhile, hospitals in Kabul brace for more casualties arriving from remote villages.

Entire villages in Kunar have been leveled—especially Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare, where mud-and-stone homes collapsed under the quake’s force. Jalalabad’s proximity—just 27 km southwest of the epicenter—left the city feeling intense shaking.

Damage is widespread: roads are clogged with landslides, electricity is cut in many areas, and rescue efforts are slow because of poor communications and challenging weather conditions.

Historical Context—Deadliest Since 2022

This is Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquake since the June 2022 tremor (magnitude 6.1), which claimed over 1,000 lives. It highlights the seismic vulnerability of the country, particularly along the Hindu Kush tectonic zone, where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide.

International Aid—Still Awaiting Response

So far, no foreign government has officially offered aid for rescue or relief operations. However, the United Nations has dispatched its teams to deliver emergency assistance on the ground. With limited domestic capacity—and cuts to foreign aid over the past year—Afghanistan may face dire shortages in relief operations.

What Lies Ahead—Urgent Needs and Long-Term Recovery

The immediate priorities include:

Search and rescue in remote villages.
Medical treatment and hospital access for the injured.
Emergency shelter, food, and water for displaced survivors.
Rehabilitation of infrastructure, including restoring roads and power.

Given the country’s fragile humanitarian framework—marked by aid cuts and political isolation—the coming days will be critical