Rescue efforts are growing increasingly desperate in eastern Afghanistan after a devastating earthquake over the weekend killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands injured. Emergency workers are struggling to reach remote villages buried under rubble and cut off by landslides.
The 6.0-magnitude quake struck on Sunday near the Pakistan border, flattening homes built from mud and stone and forcing survivors to sleep in the open due to repeated aftershocks. According to Taliban officials, at least 1,411 people have been confirmed dead and more than 3,100 others injured, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes in decades.
Kunar province was the hardest hit, though casualties were also reported in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces. Survivors described tragic losses, with entire families buried beneath collapsed houses. In the mountain village of Mazar Dara, 80-year-old Gul Bibi recounted how she lost nearly all her relatives, with only her young grandson surviving.
Rescue teams face immense challenges, with landslides blocking access and villages completely destroyed. Aid groups report that some areas remain unreachable, forcing humanitarian workers to hike long distances with medical supplies carried by hand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the death toll is likely to climb as many remain trapped.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Defence said more than 150 helicopter flights had been dispatched to evacuate victims, while makeshift medical facilities have been set up. However, survivors still lack proper shelter and basic supplies.
The United Nations has released $10 million in emergency funding, while the UK, EU, UAE, India, and China have pledged humanitarian support. Yet aid agencies warn that global funding cuts since the Taliban takeover in 2021 have severely weakened Afghanistan’s disaster response capacity.
“This earthquake could not have come at a worse time,” said Red Cross Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain, stressing that the disaster has worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis marked by poverty, drought, and widespread displacement.
FAQs:
- How many people were killed in the Afghanistan earthquake?
At least 1,411 people lost their lives in the powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan. - Which provinces were most affected by the earthquake?
Kunar province suffered the majority of casualties, with additional deaths and injuries reported in Nangarhar and Laghman. - What magnitude was the earthquake in Afghanistan?
The earthquake measured 6.0 in magnitude. - What challenges are rescuers facing in Afghanistan’s earthquake-hit areas?
Rescuers are struggling with landslides, remote locations, destroyed infrastructure, and aftershocks, making it difficult to reach survivors. - What international aid has been pledged for Afghanistan earthquake relief?
The UN released $10 million in emergency funds, while the UK, EU, UAE, India, and China have pledged additional humanitarian assistance.
