Kabul: A devastating magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on August 31, 2025, killing more than 500 people, injuring thousands, and leveling entire villages in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Rescue efforts remain hampered by landslides, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted communications.
The quake hit at around 11:47 p.m. local time, its shallow depth amplifying surface destruction. In Kunar, Taliban-run authorities confirmed at least 500 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries, with Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara districts worst affected. Nangarhar also reported at least nine fatalities and dozens of injuries.
Entire villages built with fragile mud-and-stone houses were flattened, while landslides blocked crucial access routes. Helicopters and rescue teams were dispatched, but operations have been slowed by the rugged terrain and widespread infrastructure damage. Officials appealed for urgent international assistance to cope with the scale of the disaster.
The tragedy underscores Afghanistan’s deep vulnerability to seismic shocks, particularly in remote mountainous regions. It comes less than two years after another deadly quake, highlighting the recurring nature of such disasters.
With limited resources, the Taliban government faces mounting pressure to accelerate relief and provide medical aid, shelter, and emergency supplies. Experts stress that long-term resilience will require stricter building codes, improved early warning systems, and better community preparedness to break the cycle of devastation from recurring earthquakes.
