The death toll from a devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has exceeded 1,400, with more than 3,000 injured, as the Taliban government appeals for international aid. A second earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck on Tuesday, compounding the destruction and raising fears of further casualties. Rescue teams are struggling to reach remote mountainous areas where entire villages have been levelled.
The initial 6.0-magnitude quake hit on Sunday in Kunar province near the Pakistani border, destroying mud and stone homes in steep valleys. Its shallow depth of six miles contributed to the severe damage. At least 610 people died in Kunar alone, with 12 reported dead in neighbouring Nangarhar. Survivors described scenes of complete devastation, with one resident saying, “There is not a single standing room visible in this village.”
Rescue operations have been hampered by rough terrain, heavy rain, and landslides that have left many roads impassable. Military helicopters are ferrying the wounded to hospitals, while villagers dig through rubble by hand. The Taliban’s health ministry spokesperson, Sharafat Zaman, called for international assistance: “We need it because here lots of people lost their lives and houses.”
Afghanistan is already facing a severe economic crisis and reduced international funding following the Taliban takeover in 2021. The earthquake has further strained resources, with hundreds of thousands of Afghan deportees from Iran and Pakistan adding to the humanitarian burden. Experts warn that the country’s rescue and relief organisations are barely functional and urge global support.
