Powerful 6.3 Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan, Killing Over 800 and Injuring Thousands

A powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing more than 800 people and injuring around 2,500 others, according to a Taliban government spokesperson. Most of the casualties were reported in Kunar province, where entire villages have been reduced to rubble.

The quake hit at 11:47 p.m. local time and was centered about 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A strong aftershock was felt on Monday morning, adding to the devastation.

“Rescue operations are still ongoing, and the numbers of those killed and injured are continuing to rise,” said Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health. “Medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kabul have been dispatched to assist.”

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, particularly in its mountainous eastern regions. Many people live in poorly constructed, low-rise mud-brick homes that are extremely prone to collapse during seismic activity. In 2022 alone, more than 1,000 people were killed in a series of earthquakes across the country, including a deadly magnitude 4.3 quake in February.

Authorities say the full scale of the damage is still being assessed, as rescue teams work to reach remote and badly affected areas.