A devastating Afghanistan earthquake has killed more than 800 people and left over 2,700 injured, with entire villages flattened and thousands of families forced to spend the night outdoors without shelter.
The 6.0-magnitude quake struck just before midnight on Sunday, at 23:47 local time, with its epicentre located 27 kilometres from Jalalabad in Nangarhar province at a shallow depth of eight kilometres. The tremor was felt as far away as Kabul and Islamabad, Pakistan. At least five strong aftershocks followed, including one of magnitude 5.2.
The worst damage was reported in Kunar province, where many homes collapsed on families. Survivors described terrifying scenes, with women and children screaming as buildings crumbled. Entire communities such as Wadir and Mazar Dara reported dozens of fatalities, including children, buried under the rubble.
Helicopters flew dozens of missions from Jalalabad throughout Monday to deliver aid, evacuate the injured, and recover bodies. But many villages remain inaccessible due to landslides that have blocked roads, according to the International Organization for Migration.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the United Nations was working with local authorities to assess immediate needs and had released $5 million in emergency funds.
Afghanistan is frequently hit by powerful quakes due to its location near the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates meet. The country also suffered a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Herat province in 2023 that killed more than 1,500 people.
The current toll from the Afghanistan earthquake stands at 800 deaths and nearly 2,800 injured, but officials warn the number could rise as many remain trapped under the rubble.
Also read: Sudan Darfur landslide wipes out village, killing over 1,000
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel.
