Kabul: The death toll from a series of earthquakes in eastern Afghanistan has climbed to 812, with 2,817 people said to be injured, according to figures released by the Taliban government on Monday. Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that these numbers are expected to rise as rescue teams continue their work in remote and hard-to-reach areas. He emphasized that in some villages, individuals who are injured or have died remain trapped under the rubble.
According to Ghana News Agency, the eastern province of Kunar is the worst affected, followed by Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan, and Panjshir. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a magnitude 6.0 quake struck at 1917 GMT on Sunday, just before midnight local time, near the border with Pakistan. The tremor occurred at a depth of 8 kilometers and was followed by several lower-intensity aftershocks.
Officials noted that four villages in Kunar were completely destroyed, with many others partially damaged. Communications have been disrupted, complicating rescue efforts. Emergency response teams from the Defence Ministry have been deployed to evacuate the injured. Residents in Kunar have expressed frustration to local media, citing delays in receiving assistance. They described dire conditions, with children, women, and the elderly trapped under debris and a lack of rescue personnel.
Aid agencies have reported that entire villages remain isolated due to blocked roads, damaged infrastructure, and ongoing aftershocks. The International Rescue Committee highlighted the compounded challenges, noting that previous heavy rains and flooding have left many mountainous areas inaccessible. Save the Children added that continuing aftershocks are causing fear and increasing the risk of further damage.
International support has begun to mobilize, with several countries, including Iran, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Japan, the UAE, and Qatar, as well as the EU in Afghanistan, offering assistance. Iran has expressed readiness to aid in rescue operations, while India has already sent family tents and food supplies, with further aid planned.
The earthquake has drawn comparisons to a similar disaster in October 2024, which struck the western Herat province, resulting in around 1,500 deaths and nearly 2,000 injuries. Afghanistan’s international isolation since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 poses challenges for relief efforts, as only Russia has officially recognized the Taliban regime. UN Secretary General Ant³nio Guterres extended condolences and solidarity with the Afghan people following the disaster.