Dara Noor, Afghanistan — A devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday has resulted in a staggering death toll of over 1,400, with thousands more injured, according to local officials. The tremor, which hit just before midnight, primarily affected Kunar province but was felt across several areas. The destruction of homes made from natural materials has left many trapped beneath collapsed structures, hampering ongoing rescue efforts.
Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reported that injuries exceeded 3,000 in Kunar alone, as villages were decimated by the quake. The aftermath has seen emergency teams struggling to reach remote areas due to difficult terrain, prompting Taliban authorities to resort to air-dropping commandos for evacuations where helicopters could not land.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 8 kilometers below the surface near Jalalabad, close to the Pakistani border. This shallow depth intensified the quake’s effects, resulting in significant surface shaking and subsequent aftershocks. Indrika Ratwatte, the UN’s resident coordinator for Afghanistan, emphasized the disastrous impact of the quake, explaining that when the walls of mud and wooden homes crumbled, roofs fell directly onto occupants, leading to severe injuries and fatalities. The timing of the quake, with most people asleep, further compounded the tragedy.
Afghanistan’s eastern region, situated in the seismically active Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges, has a long history of earthquakes due to the tectonic collision of the Eurasian and Indian plates. This area is no stranger to natural disasters; previous quakes in recent years have claimed thousands of lives, including more than 1,500 casualties in an October 2023 quake.
The vulnerability of rural construction significantly contributed to the devastation. Many Afghan homes are built from mud bricks and stone, often lacking the engineering standards necessary to withstand seismic activity. The monolithic style of these structures, while affordable, offers little protection, causing rapid collapses during earthquakes that trap inhabitants beneath wreckage.
The ongoing crisis is further complicated by existing humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021, which has led to substantial cuts in aid funding and a weakened economy. This latest earthquake represents the third major seismic event to hit the country in that timeframe, stressing an already fragile situation. With millions forcibly returned from neighboring countries, the facilities and resources are stretched thin.
Aid organizations are reporting a significant reduction in the support they can offer. Arthur Comon, deputy director of operations at the NGO Première Urgence Internationale, noted that decreased international assistance has directly impacted the availability of medical resources in affected rural communities. Funding cuts have led to the closure of approximately 400 health facilities across Afghanistan, according to Ratwatte, further complicating the emergency response.
The United States, previously the largest donor to Afghanistan, has drastically reduced its support since the Taliban returned to power, diminishing financial aid meant for crucial services. The result has been a compounded crisis, where less assistance translates into fewer responders, medical personnel, and essential supplies needed to address the aftermath of this destructive event.
As the region comes to terms with the disaster, the need for effective international support becomes increasingly urgent. The combination of natural disaster, economic instability, and humanitarian crisis creates a precarious environment for the people of Afghanistan, raising pressing questions about the country’s path forward in the wake of such tragedy.