A devastating earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck eastern Afghanistan early Monday, killing more than 500 people and injuring over 1000, according to Taliban-run authorities.
The worst-hit districts include Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara in Kunar province. In neighbouring Nangarhar, at least nine people lost their lives and dozens were injured, Khaama Press reported.
Entire mud-and-stone villages crumbled, while landslides blocked vital roads and disrupted communications, severely hampering rescue and relief operations. Helicopters and emergency teams have been deployed, but officials warned that rough terrain and widespread destruction are slowing efforts.
The initial 6.0 magnitude quake was followed by multiple aftershocks, including tremors of 4.7, 4.3, and 5.0 magnitudes at varying depths near the epicentre.
Authorities have appealed for urgent international aid as the disaster highlights Afghanistan’s recurring vulnerability to earthquakes, particularly in remote mountainous regions. Less than two years ago, another powerful quake struck the country, underscoring the persistent seismic threat.
The tremors were also felt across Pakistan, including several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces. However, Pakistani officials confirmed no casualties or damage so far, Dawn reported.
Afghanistan sits at the collision point of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it one of the world’s most quake-prone regions. The Hindu Kush mountain range in particular remains highly seismically active, with destructive earthquakes striking almost every year, according to the Red Cross.