A strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan caused significant human losses and widespread damage. This was reported by Upl.uz.
According to government representative Zabiulla Mujahid, the death toll has reached 1,411 people, with over 3,100 injured. Earlier, the Afghan Red Crescent Society reported 1,124 deaths and 3,251 injuries.
The earthquake occurred on the night of August 31, 2025, with a magnitude of 6.0, located 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad, the administrative center of Nangarhar province, near the border with Pakistan. The epicenter was approximately 8 kilometers deep, which led to extensive destruction on the surface.
At least 13 weaker aftershocks were recorded following the main earthquake, some reaching a magnitude of up to 5.2. The greatest damage was reported in Kunar province, where at least three villages were completely destroyed.
Severe damage was also reported in Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan, and Panjshir provinces. Initial assessments indicate that over 8,000 homes were destroyed, leaving thousands homeless.
According to UNICEF, many children are among the deceased. Search and rescue operations are facing serious difficulties.
Heavy rains in mountainous and remote areas, landslides caused by the shaking, and damaged roads are complicating the efforts. Rescue teams are using helicopters to extract the injured from under the rubble.
Authorities are concerned that the death toll may rise, as many people may still be trapped under the debris. Ehsanulla Ehsan, head of the Nangarhar Provincial Disaster Management Authority, said: “We cannot yet accurately say how many bodies remain under the rubble.”
The Afghan government has appealed to the international community for assistance.
The United Nations Emergency Response Center has allocated 5 million dollars. Additionally, the UN has dispatched at least 25 specialized teams to assess the situation and provide aid in the affected areas.
However, the organization notes that stocks of construction materials and medical supplies are running low, and current funding is insufficient to meet all needs. Several countries have expressed readiness to provide humanitarian aid.
The United Kingdom announced it will allocate 1 million pounds sterling. China, India, and Switzerland have also pledged to provide assistance.
Afghanistan is located in a seismically active zone due to its position at the intersection of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. This makes the country highly susceptible to frequent and sometimes devastating earthquakes.
