Powerful Earthquake Kills Over 500 in Eastern Afghanistan. A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing at least 500 people and injuring over 1,000, officials confirmed Monday.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake at 11:47 p.m. local time, with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers. The epicenter was 27 kilometers east of Jalalabad, in Nangarhar province.
Prayers for Afghanistan after a major earthquake hits Kunar. pic.twitter.com/cbdteIJBHZ
— Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi (@MansurQr) September 1, 2025
Tremors were felt as far as Kabul, northern Pakistan—including Islamabad, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—and even parts of India. Panic spread quickly as residents fled their homes.
Earlier, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Kuril Islands, shaked the Kamchatka Peninsula and briefly raising fears of a tsunami in the Pacific Ocean. This was the second major earthquake in the region within a week.
Worst-Hit: Kunar and Nangarhar Provinces
In Kunar, entire mud and stone homes collapsed. Locals described the damage as devastating. “Whole villages have been flattened,” said one resident. Many families remain buried under rubble. Landslides have blocked key roads, making rescue work extremely difficult.
Official Death Toll May Rise
🚨⚡️Footage from Afghanistan’s 6.0 quake shows victims airlifted as rescue ops expand. Initial toll: 250 dead, 500 injured in Nangarhar near Pakistan border. pic.twitter.com/1dVDyY3J7S
— RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) September 1, 2025
Afghanistan’s Bakhtar News Agency reported 250 confirmed deaths and 500 injuries early Monday. Officials fear the toll will rise as rescuers reach remote mountain areas.
Taliban Appeals for International Aid
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed “severe loss of life and property.” He said Taliban relief teams are working on the ground. Mujahid urged international aid agencies to send medical supplies, tents, and rescue equipment. Helicopters from Nangarhar Airport are airlifting the injured to Kabul and nearby hospitals.
Earthquake Caused ‘Loss of Life & Property’, Taliban spokesman
The Taliban government has just put out a statement on X saying the earthquake has caused “loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces”.
“Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people. Support teams from the centre and nearby provinces are also on their way,” the statement adds.
Survivors Terrified by Aftershocks
Nangarhar residents reported at least 13 aftershocks through the night. Fearing more collapses, many families slept outdoors. Blocked roads slowed down emergency response efforts.
Expert Warnings on Earthquake Risk
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Pakistan, said communication lines in Kunar were down. “This is a poor, mountainous region,” he said. “Homes made of mud and stone collapse easily.” The earthquake struck late at night, increasing the death toll.
Experts note that eastern Afghanistan lies on the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian plates. Chris Elders, professor of earth sciences at Curtin University, explained: “It’s not just buildings. Hillsides also become unstable. That’s what makes quakes here deadly.”
Rescue Efforts Continue
Military helicopters and rescue teams are working around the clock. Blocked mountain passes and broken communication systems hinder progress.
Officials say it may take days to assess the full scale of damage.
For now, the Taliban government is calling for urgent global humanitarian support. This is one of the deadliest earthquakes to hit Afghanistan in recent years.
