Deadly 6.0 Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan, Killing at Least 610 and Injuring Over 1,300
In the eastern region of Afghanistan, a catastrophic earthquake has claimed at least 610 lives and left over 1,300 injured following its occurrence on Sunday evening. The epicenter of this 6.0 magnitude quake was located approximately 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad city in Nangarhar province, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The affected region includes several towns within Kunar province and parts of Nangarhar province, causing widespread destruction to numerous villages. The shallower depth of the quake at 8 kilometers contributed to more significant damage.
Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Matin Qani confirmed these casualty figures to Associated Press, reporting that over 600 people were killed and approximately 1,300 were injured in Kunar province alone, with many houses demolished in the process. In Nangarhar province, a dozen people lost their lives, and hundreds more sustained injuries.
Rescue efforts are currently ongoing, with several villages reportedly completely devastated by the earthquake’s impact. The death toll and number of injuries are expected to fluctuate as more reports emerge from affected areas.
Sharafat Zaman, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, stated that medical teams have been deployed from Kunar, Nangarhar, and the capital city, Kabul, to tend to those in need. However, many locations are yet to report their casualty figures, with the expectation that numbers will continue to change as more deaths and injuries come to light.
Jalalabad, a bustling trade city due to its proximity with neighboring Pakistan and a significant border crossing between the countries, has been affected by the earthquake. With an estimated population of around 300,000 according to the municipality, the metropolitan area is believed to be significantly larger. Most buildings in Jalalabad are low-rise constructions, primarily made of concrete and brick, with outlying areas featuring homes built from mud bricks and wood, many of which exhibit poor construction quality.
Jalalabad also boasts considerable agriculture and farming, including citrus fruit and rice cultivation, and is graced by the Kabul River running through its heart.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Afghanistan on October 7, 2023, followed by potent aftershocks. The Taliban government estimated that at least 4,000 people perished in that disaster.
The United Nations provided a lower death toll estimate of approximately 1,500, making the recent earthquake the deadliest natural catastrophe to impact Afghanistan in recent memory.