800+ Deaths in Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake in Eastern Afghanistan
A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 6.0 struck eastern Afghanistan near Jalalabad in the intervening night of August 31 and September 1, 2025, at approximately 12:47 a.m. Indian Standard Time (i.e., 11:47 p.m. AFT or 7:17 p.m. UTC on August 31). The quake’s epicenter was located about 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, near the border with Kunar province, where the most severe destruction occurred.
According to officials from the Taliban-run Afghan interior ministry, at least 622 people have died and more than 1,500 injured as the earthquake flattened entire villages made predominantly of mud and stone. Around 600 homes have been reported destroyed or severely damaged, especially in mountainous areas where landslides have further complicated rescue operations.
Rescue efforts are underway with helicopters deployed to evacuate the injured to overwhelmed medical facilities like the Nangarhar Regional Specialist Hospital. Local authorities, aided by international humanitarian agencies, continue urgent relief operations delivering food, shelter, and medical supplies. Many affected communities remain hard to access due to blocked roads and the challenging terrain.
This tragic event adds to Afghanistan’s history of deadly seismic activity, as the nation sits on the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Officials warn that casualty figures may rise as rescue teams reach more isolated regions.
The earthquake and its aftershocks have shattered lives and homes in one of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
This report is generated from India, reflecting the impact on the region and ongoing developments regarding the humanitarian response.
