Devastating Afghanistan Quake Rescues Continue as Death Toll Surpasses 1,100

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan just before midnight on Sunday, inflicting catastrophic damage across remote, mountainous regions. While initial reports noted over 800 fatalities, the confirmed death toll has now climbed Reuters reports at least 812 deaths and 2,800 injuries in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar. 

An updated assessment from the Afghan Red Crescent Society suggests the death toll has risen to 1,124 with more than 3,250 injured and 8,000 houses destroyed.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Rescuers are working tirelessly to reach isolated villages in Kunar province. Blocked roads and landslides continue to hamper access, forcing many teams to proceed on foot or via helicopters. The earthquake’s shallow depth, combined with the region’s rugged terrain, has made the destruction especially dire. 

Villagers themselves have joined the rescue operations, digging through rubble with bare hands in search of survivors. In Mazar Dara village, once entire homes made of mud bricks now lie in ruins. 

Urgent Humanitarian Appeal

The Taliban-led government has appealed for international assistance amid overwhelming need and dwindling resources. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, humanitarian funding has plummeted from $3.8 billion in 2022 to just $767 million in 2025. 

Despite these challenges, aid is beginning to arrive. UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced an initial $5 million in aid, and China has pledged assistance “according to Afghanistan’s needs and within its capacity.” 

Context & Aftermath

This earthquake is the third major tremor to strike Afghanistan since the Taliban took power, highlighting the nation's vulnerability within the tectonically active Hindu Kush region. 

With winter approaching and vast portions of affected communities displaced, humanitarian organizations warn of a worsening crisis unless international support scales up rapidly.