A powerful earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 600 people and injuring at least 1,500, according to the country’s Ministry of Information, as reported by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.
The disaster, which occurred late Sunday night, is being described as the deadliest quake in the country since 2023.
Afghanistan earthquake details and epicenter
The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 6.0. The tremor struck at 11:47 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 27 kilometers (around 16.5 miles) northeast of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar Province.
The quake occurred at a shallow depth of just eight kilometers, which significantly intensified its destructive power.
#افغانستان میں حکام کا کہنا ہے کہ #کونڑ سمیت ملک کے مشرقی صوبوں میں زلزلے سے جانی اور مالی نقصان ہوا ہے۔ رات 12 بجے انے والے زلزلے سے کئی عمارتیں گرگئی ہیں۔ افغان حکومت کے ترجمان ذبیح اللہ #مجاہد @Zabehulah_M33 کے مطابق امدادی ٹیمیں علاقے میں لوگوں کو نکالنے میں مصروف ہیں۔ مرکز… pic.twitter.com/DPKcmpUZW3
— Tahir Khan (@taahir_khan) August 31, 2025
Widespread devastation in Kunar Province
Local officials reported that the quake hit hardest in several districts of Kunar Province, including Nur Gal, Sawkai, Watapur, Manogai, and Chapa Dara. The Ministry of Health confirmed that three villages in Kunar were completely destroyed. Initial assessments indicate extensive damage across many more settlements.
Najibullah Hanif, a provincial official, reported at least 250 dead and 500 injured in Kunar alone, noting that the numbers are expected to rise as rescue teams reach remote areas.
Rescue efforts and ongoing challenges
Rescue operations are currently underway, though efforts are hampered by rugged terrain, damaged infrastructure, and continued aftershocks.
Footage from Reuters Television showed helicopters transporting emergency personnel to the worst-hit regions. Civilians were seen assisting medical teams and soldiers in moving the injured to ambulances.
Sarafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Afghan Health Ministry, stated, “Reports from several clinics show more than 400 people injured and dozens killed, but the real toll could be much higher.”
Tremors felt across the region during Afghanistan earthquake
The quake’s impact was felt well beyond Afghanistan borders. Residents in Kabul and in Islamabad, Pakistan—over 370 kilometers (230 miles) from the epicenter—reported strong tremors. At least five aftershocks have followed, one of them registering 5.2 in magnitude, adding to the instability of the region.
🔵 #Terremoto Forte scossa di magnitudo 6.0 nell'#Afghanistan orientale, vicino al confine con il Pakistan. Almeno 9 morti e 25 feriti a Nangarhar, ma l'alto numero di edifici fatiscenti nella zona fa temere che il numero delle vittime sia molto più alto pic.twitter.com/zolclIp9S2
— Rai Radio1 (@Radio1Rai) September 1, 2025
A country already in crisis
The earthquake comes just days after flash floods struck the same eastern provinces, killing five and causing significant damage to agricultural and residential areas. Afghanistan, among the world’s poorest nations, remains extremely vulnerable to natural disasters.
Adding to the country’s woes is the sharp decline in international aid and the ongoing forced return of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, which has intensified the existing humanitarian crisis.
History of seismic activity in Afghanistan
Afghanistan sits along a major tectonic fault line in the Hindu Kush region, where the Indian and Eurasian plates meet. As a result, the country frequently experiences destructive earthquakes. A series of tremors in Western Afghanistan in 2024 claimed over one thousand lives.
With the current death toll surpassing six hundred and rescue teams still working to reach isolated villages, the full extent of the disaster is yet to be revealed. The coming days will be critical in determining the scale of the humanitarian response required.
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