622 Killed, 1,000 Injured as Powerful Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan

A devastating magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on August 31, 2025, killing at least 622 people and injuring more than 1,000 others, local officials said. The quake, which hit at 11:47 p.m. local time, shook Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, flattening villages and triggering deadly landslides.

Authorities reported the heaviest toll in Kunar, where fragile mud-and-stone homes crumbled in the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara. In neighbouring Nangarhar, nine people were confirmed dead and dozens injured.

Entire communities were reduced to rubble, with key access roads blocked and communications disrupted, hampering rescue efforts. Taliban officials appealed for urgent international aid as rescue teams, backed by helicopters, struggled against rough terrain and widespread infrastructure damage.

The disaster underscores Afghanistan’s acute vulnerability to seismic events, particularly in remote, mountainous areas where building standards are weak. It comes less than two years after another deadly quake, highlighting recurring risks in a country ill-equipped to cope with such emergencies.

The Taliban administration now faces mounting pressure to deliver relief with limited resources, while humanitarian agencies stress the need for rapid international support to provide medical aid, shelter, and food. Experts warn that without stronger building codes, improved early warning systems, and better disaster preparedness, Afghanistan will remain trapped in a cycle of devastation from recurring earthquakes.

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