Deadly 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan, 610 Dead

UPDATE: A devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has claimed the lives of over 610 people and injured more than 1,300, officials report. The 6.0 magnitude quake struck late on Sunday night, sending shockwaves across the province of Kunar, near the city of Jalalabad, at 11:47 p.m. local time.

The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that the earthquake’s epicenter was located 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad, at a depth of just 8 kilometers (5 miles). Such shallow quakes often result in severe destruction. Eyewitness footage reveals frantic scenes of villagers digging through rubble, desperately searching for loved ones as rescue operations unfold in the dark of night.

Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Matin Qani confirmed the tragic casualty figures to the Associated Press, stating that the late-night quake had devastatingly impacted Kunar, with significant damage reported across numerous villages. Reports indicate that in addition to the casualties in Kunar, a dozen lives were lost in Nangarhar, with hundreds more injured.

Rescue teams, including medical personnel from Kunar, Nangarhar, and even the capital Kabul, have deployed to the affected areas. Sharafat Zaman, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, indicated that many regions had yet to report their casualty figures, raising concerns that the death toll could rise as more information becomes available.

In a statement, the Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, assured the public that “all available resources will be utilized to save lives,” as the nation grapples with this catastrophic event.

Jalalabad, a bustling trade city with an estimated population of around 300,000, is an essential border crossing with neighboring Pakistan. Its infrastructure, primarily composed of low-rise concrete and brick structures, has proven vulnerable to seismic activity, especially in poorer construction areas.

This earthquake follows a significant seismic event on October 7, 2023, where a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Afghanistan, resulting in a death toll that the Taliban government estimated at over 4,000, while the U.N. reported around 1,500 fatalities. That quake was one of the deadliest natural disasters in the region’s recent history, raising concerns over the stability of the region and its preparedness for such disasters.

As rescue efforts continue and the nation mourns, the international community watches closely, ready to assist in the aftermath of this tragedy. Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.