Powerful Earthquake Hits Eastern Afghanistan, Over 600 Dead

Jalalabad, Afghanistan — September 1, 2025: A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing over 600 people and injuring more thousands.

Authorities fear the death toll will climb as rescuers reach remote areas. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at 11:47 p.m. local time (19:17 GMT), pinpointing the epicenter 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province. The tremor hit at a shallow depth of 8 kilometers, which intensified the destruction. About 20 minutes later, a 4.5-magnitude aftershock shook the region again.

The earthquake flattened entire villages in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Mud and stone houses collapsed instantly, burying families inside. Landslides blocked key roads and cut off access to affected districts, slowing rescue and relief operations. Survivors described how the ground shook violently, sending walls and roofs crashing down within seconds.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the heavy casualties and said emergency teams, volunteers, and residents are digging through rubble to find survivors. Authorities deployed helicopters to airlift the injured, while hospitals in Jalalabad scrambled to treat the flood of patients. Local communities organized blood donation drives to support overwhelmed medical staff.

The quake jolted Kabul, Islamabad, and parts of northern India, where frightened residents rushed into the streets. Afghanistan’s interim government has appealed for international aid to speed up relief efforts and provide long-term support for devastated communities.

Rescue workers continue to battle blocked roads, damaged infrastructure, and communication breakdowns, warning that the full scale of the disaster may take days to emerge.