In brief
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Jalalabad on Sunday night, causing extensive damage and resulting in 800 fatalities and more than 2,500 injuries. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to recover victims, but many families remain trapped under the debris. The Taliban government states that they will utilize all available resources for rescue efforts. This disaster compounds existing humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, as the nation struggles with drought and the impact of returning refugees.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A massive 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, wreaking havoc and tragically claiming the lives of at least 800 individuals while injuring over 2,500, according to the Taliban government's latest figures.
The quake hit the region near the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province at 11:47 p.m., with a depth of just 8 kilometers (5 miles)—a shallow depth that usually leads to increased destruction. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake was centered approximately 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad.
In the aftermath, harrowing scenes emerged as Afghans frantically scoured through rubble in search of loved ones. Footage depicted rescuers evacuating the injured on stretchers and others digging through the debris with bare hands. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, stated that the majority of casualties were reported in Kunar province.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with medical teams arriving from Kunar, Nangarhar, and the capital, Kabul. However, several areas remain cut off from communication, delaying casualty reports, which are expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing experiences, such as one survivor from the Maza Dara area, who described how his family was trapped beneath collapsed buildings. “I was half-buried and unable to get out,” he shared, reflecting the desperate situation faced by many families.
Sadiqullah, another survivor from Nurgal district, detailed the frightening moment the earthquake struck, comparing its intensity to a violent storm. He managed to rescue three of his children but tragically lost his wife and two sons.
The impact of the earthquake has further complicated existing humanitarian issues in Afghanistan, which already suffers from widespread drought and the forced return of Afghans from neighboring countries. Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, urged international donors to extend aid to those affected.
The earthquake’s tremors were also felt across the border in Pakistan, prompting sentiments of solidarity from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed his grief and willingness to assist.
As rescue efforts are in full swing, the international community watches closely, awaiting updates on the recovery efforts and the ever-changing casualty figures stemming from this devastating natural disaster.
