Afghanistan Earthquake Kills Over 800, Leaves Thousands Injured

A devastating earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, followed by powerful aftershocks that ripped through mountainous regions. The tremors, felt as far as Kabul and even Islamabad, reduced entire villages to rubble and sparked a massive rescue effort.

In Kunar province, more than 800 people were confirmed dead, with about 2,500 others injured. Nangarhar province also reported fatalities, including at least 12 deaths and over 250 injuries. Officials warn the toll could climb as rescuers reach remote areas cut off by landslides and blocked roads.

Traditional mud-brick homes, common in the region, collapsed under the quake’s force, leaving families buried beneath the debris. Survivors have been forced into the open air, facing harsh conditions without shelter, food, or clean water. Many hospitals are overwhelmed as injured victims continue to pour in.

Authorities declared a state of emergency and launched large-scale rescue operations. The defence ministry confirmed that helicopters have been deployed to evacuate the injured and deliver supplies. Local residents are also clearing blocked roads to allow aid to reach stranded villages. Witnesses described scenes of terror, with people screaming as buildings crumbled around them.

The disaster has intensified calls for urgent international assistance. Aid agencies are mobilizing emergency relief, but access to remote regions remains a major challenge. Survivors continue to plead for food, tents, and medical supplies, as fears grow of disease outbreaks among the displaced population.

The earthquake has once again exposed Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, worsened by fragile infrastructure and limited resources. Rebuilding efforts are expected to take months, if not years, as families mourn their dead and communities struggle to recover.