Late Sunday night, a magnitude-6.0 quake shook eastern Afghanistan, sending tremors as far as the capital of Nangarhar province. The epicenter was just 27 km northeast of Jalalabad, at a shallow depth of 8 km – making the impact especially jolting.
In Kunar province's Nurgal, Suki, Watapur and Chapa Dara districts, officials report over 800 lives lost and nearly 2,800 injured. Neighboring provinces also felt the force: Nangarhar recorded 12 fatalities and 255 injuries, Laghman saw 58 injured, and Nuristan reported four more hurt.
Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid of the Afghan interim government says these figures are initial estimates and could rise as teams continue surveying remote areas. Rugged, mountainous terrain is slowing down heavy machinery and aid convoys, but response units are working nonstop to clear debris, find survivors and deliver medical help. 🚑🏔️
For many of us in South and Southeast Asia, quake alerts are a stark reminder of our shared vulnerability – from Nepal's 2015 disaster to tremors in Java. Solidarity and swift action matter: checking in on loved ones, sharing verified updates, and supporting on-the-ground efforts can make a real difference. 🌍
Our thoughts are with the communities affected. Rescue efforts and aid delivery continue around the clock as Afghan and international teams unite to help survivors.
Reference(s):
Over 800 dead, nearly 3,000 injured in eastern Afghanistan earthquake
cgtn.com
