Kabul, Afghanistan – A devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, claiming the lives of more than 800 people, according to official reports. The disaster has left widespread destruction in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, with emergency response teams struggling to carry out rescue efforts amid flooding and heavy debris.
The quake hit at 11:47 pm local time (19:47 GMT) at a shallow depth of just 8 kilometres (5 miles), making it particularly destructive. Experts say shallow earthquakes often cause greater damage as their seismic waves are much closer to the Earth’s surface.
Just twenty minutes after the first tremor, a 4.5 magnitude aftershock struck north of Basawul in Nangarhar province. Since then, several more tremors measuring between 4.3 and 5.2 have been reported near Jalalabad and surrounding areas.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre was located 27 kilometres northeast of Jalalabad, a key trading hub near the Pakistan border. The city, home to nearly 300,000 residents, is filled with low-rise concrete and brick buildings, while many homes on the outskirts are built with mud and wood, making them highly vulnerable to earthquake damage.
Authorities warn that the death toll may continue to rise as many remain trapped under collapsed buildings, and rescue efforts are slowed by blocked roads, floods, and rubble.
