• Source:JND
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Afghanistan earthquake latest update:  

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit southern Afghanistan late on Sunday evening, killing at least 20 and injuring over 115, local officials cited by the BBC reported. The earthquake struck at 11:47 pm local time at a shallow depth of 10 km, strong enough to rattle buildings hundreds of kilometres away. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the quake struck at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), but the US Geological Survey (USGS) put the epicentre roughly 36 km north of Basawul, in the province of Nangarhar. The shaking lasted for a few seconds and was accompanied by at least three aftershocks, measuring 4.5 to 5.2. Official sources in the local region informed the BBC that the worst affected are sections of Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, where "dozens of houses are buried under rubble."

People in Kabul and Pakistan's capital Islamabad, almost 370 km away, experienced the ground tremble for a few seconds. AFP correspondents said many people rushed outside fearing the main quake as it was followed by aftershocks. Villages Burned, Roads Blocked Taliban government officials quoted by BBC said that entire villages in Kunar province's Mazar valley have been severely damaged. Landslides triggered by the earthquake and recent flooding had clogged roads, hindering rescue operations. Police in Kunar said the only way to bring aid or evacuate the wounded is by air. They called for urgent international aid agency help, including helicopters.

Dozens of wounded victims are hospitalised in Nangarhar province. Deputy governor Azizullah Mustafa confirmed that nearly 30 people were received alone in his district. Civilians swarmed hospitals to donate blood to the survivors. Official sources confirmed that more than 115 people were hospitalized in Nangarhar and Kunar. The death toll will increase as rescue teams open up remote villages.

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Why Afghanistan Is So Earthquake-Prone?

Afghanistan lies on a dangerous tectonic fault line, where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world. Shallow quakes, even of moderate strength, often prove devastating due to fragile housing structures built from mud, timber, and weak concrete. In June 2022, more than 1,000 people were killed in a 5.9-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, the deadliest in two decades.

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With scarce resources and closed mountain roads, Taliban officials have made a desperate call for emergency international aid, asking for helicopters to access the most afflicted communities. "We need helicopters and immediate relief to get to remote valleys," a Kunar provincial official said in the BBC. The government fears that the dead will total hundreds once a complete tally is made of reports from the inaccessible areas the day after.