A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck late Sunday night in eastern Afghanistan, primarily affecting the province of Kunar, leading to catastrophic damage and loss of life. As of Monday, the Taliban government reported at least 800 fatalities and over 2,500 injuries.
The quake, which occurred at 11:47 p.m., was registered only 8 kilometers deep, causing significant destruction in the low-rise construction prevalent throughout the region. Many victims remain trapped under the rubble as frantic rescue efforts are underway.
Eyewitnesses describe horrifying scenes as entire buildings collapsed with people screaming for help. Efforts to locate those missing continue as citizens dig through debris.
A villager from Nurgal district, one of the hardest-hit areas, remarked, Children are under the rubble. The elderly are under the rubble. Young people are under the rubble, highlighting the desperate need for aid.
Rescue operations face challenges due to damaged roads and infrastructure, aggravated by multiple aftershocks that have rattled the region. Medical teams and humanitarian agencies are mobilizing but report notable difficulties reaching affected areas.
The earthquake's impact is compounded by Afghanistan's ongoing humanitarian crises, including widespread drought and the forced return of refugees from neighboring countries. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, called for international donors to step in to support relief operations, warning that the disaster has intensified existing humanitarian challenges.
Sadiqullah, a survivor from the Maza Dara area, recounted the moment of the quake: It felt like the whole mountain was shaking. My wife and two sons are dead, and my father is injured and in hospital with me, expressing the profound personal losses experienced by many.
World leaders, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have offered their condolences and readiness to assist, underlining the regional implications of this disaster.
