Catastrophic earthquake in eastern Afghanistan leaves hundreds dead and widespread destruction in its wake

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In a tragic turn of events, an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck Afghanistan's east on August 31, 2025, at 23:47 AFT (21:17 MESZ). The quake has left a trail of destruction in the provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar near the Pakistan border.

The disaster has resulted in a devastating death toll of 900 and over 3,000 injured. The mountainous terrain, ongoing aftershocks, and disrupted infrastructure worsened by recent extreme monsoon rains and landslides have hampered rescue operations and aid delivery to the affected areas.

In the province of Nangarhar, over a thousand wounded individuals have been admitted to the Nangarhar Regional Hospital alone. The hospital is currently overwhelmed, with most patients in critical condition, requiring orthopedic and neurosurgical care.

In Laghman, over 60 injured people, including women and children, have been brought to the provincial hospital. To support the families of the injured, food is being provided to those visiting the hospital.

The situation is dire, with entire villages being demolished in at least one district, as described by Faqir Sayed Al-Hashimi from Ehsas Welfare and Social Services Organization. In Nangarhar's Dare Noor, the tragedy has left many families bereaved, with reports of entire families being wiped out.

To address the urgent need for blood, Jawhar Niazi, a volunteer with the Najm Foundation in Laghman, is mobilizing community members to donate blood to the injured. New ambulances are arriving every few minutes from the Jalalabad airport to transport the wounded.

The government is deploying helicopters to reach the wounded, as vehicles can't access the area due to the challenging terrain. Military planes are also transferring injured people from Kunar and Dare Noor to various hospitals.

Casualties have also been reported in Laghman and Nuristan provinces. The earthquake has caused landslides in some areas, blocking roads, but they have been reopened.

Yousaf Hammad, a spokesman for Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority, stated that the injured are being evacuated, and the figures may change significantly.

This disaster is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities in mountainous regions and the urgent need for robust disaster response mechanisms. The international community is urged to provide immediate assistance to help the affected populations recover and rebuild their lives.