Kabul: The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday night has climbed to 1,411, officials reported, according to Al Jazeera.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors following the magnitude 6.0 quake, which has left over 3,251 people injured. Kunar province has reported the highest number of casualties.
Aid workers are facing significant challenges in accessing remote, mountainous regions that have been cut off from roads and mobile networks.
In response, India has extended urgent humanitarian assistance to support relief efforts in the affected areas. On Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs posted on X: “India extends humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in the wake of the earthquake,” alongside images of trucks loaded with rice and other food supplies, signaling India’s support during this critical time.
The earthquake struck early Monday morning, registering a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale, with tremors felt across the region, including parts of Pakistan, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). Several aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4 to 5 followed the initial quake.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that the epicentre was in the Kama district of Nangarhar Province, near the Pakistan border. Preliminary assessments indicate at least 800 deaths across Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nuristan provinces, with around 12,000 people directly affected.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to convey India’s condolences over the tragic loss of life. He confirmed that relief materials, including 1,000 family tents, have been dispatched to Kabul, and 15 tonnes of food supplies are being transported from Kabul to Kunar by the Indian mission.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated: “Spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi today. Expressed our condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake. Conveyed that India has delivered 1,000 family tents today in Kabul. 15 tonnes of food material is also being immediately moved by Indian Mission from Kabul to Kunar. Further relief material will be sent from India starting tomorrow. Wish early recovery of those injured. India stands by Afghanistan at this difficult time.”
