Deadliest earthquake since 2023: Eastern Afghanistan villages destroyed, over 800 dead - Top developments

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Afghanistan late Sunday, killing more than 800 people and injuring approximately 2,500 others. The quake caused widespread destruction, toppling homes and buildings, and prompted urgent rescue and relief efforts across the affected regions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences for the earthquake victims, wished the injured a quick recovery, and pledged India’s support and humanitarian aid.

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Afghanistan on 7 October 2023, accompanied by strong aftershocks. The Taliban government reported at least 4,000 fatalities, while the UN estimated around 1,500 deaths. The disaster is considered the deadliest in Afghanistan in recent memory.

Here’s what we know so far:

Two earthquakes jolt Afghanistan

The first quake hit approximately 27 km east-northeast of Jalalabad, a city of nearly 200,000, at 11:47 pm local time (1917 GMT) and was followed by at least three aftershocks, as reported by the US Geological Survey.

The country experienced another earthquake of magnitude 4.6 on Monday, following a series of tremors in the region, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The NCS reported that the quake struck at a depth of 65 km.

Massive loss of lives, widespread destruction

The earthquake killed at least 800 people and injured thousands, officials said. The interior ministry reported extensive damage, with numerous villages and buildings destroyed. In Kabul, health authorities said rescuers were racing to reach remote hamlets in a region prone to earthquakes and floods.

Rescue officials rushed to locate survivors along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the midnight earthquake flattened mud and stone homes. The defence ministry said military teams deployed across the two provinces, with 40 flights transporting 420 injured and deceased individuals, reported Reuters.

“The number of casualties and injuries is high, but since the area is difficult to access, our teams are still on site,” health minister Sharafat Zaman said.

Regions affected

The earthquake, which struck around midnight at a shallow depth of 8–10 km, destroyed mud and stone homes along Afghanistan’s mountainous border with Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

Tremors were felt across eastern Afghanistan, including Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare districts, and extended into parts of Pakistan.These regions were the hardest hit. In Nangarhar province, at least nine people died and several others were injured, Khaama press reported citing Taliban authorities.

Villages constructed from fragile mud and stone were flattened, and landslides blocked critical routes, while communication failures further obstructed rescue and relief operations.

India ready to provide aid, says PM Modi

PM Modi expressed condolences for the earthquake victims in Afghanistan, offered prayers for the bereaved, wished a speedy recovery to the injured, and affirmed India’s readiness to provide humanitarian aid.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan . Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected,” he said through a post on X.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar extended condolences over the deadly earthquake in Afghanistan, and assured Indian assistance.

"The devastating earthquake in Kunar Province of Afghanistan is a matter of deep concern. Express our support and solidarity to the Afghan people as they respond to it. India will extend assistance in this hour of need. Our condolences to the families of the victims. And our prayers for early recovery of the injured," he stated through a post on X.

UN ramps up relief

The UN in Afghanistan stated that its teams were on the ground providing emergency and lifesaving aid, and extended thoughts to the affected communities.

"The UN in Afghanistan is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern region & claimed hundreds of lives, injuring many more. Our teams are on the ground, delivering emergency assistance & lifesaving support. Our thoughts are with the affected communities," it said through a post on X.

Unicef, WHO mobilizes emergency care

Unicef Afghanistan and WHO also responded to the devastation, saying that they have deployed mobile health teams to provide urgent care for affected children and families.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and damage after the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan.@/UNICEFAfg has deployed mobile health teams to the impacted areas & is supporting health facilities providing urgent care for children & families,” Unicef said through a post on X.

“As reports of deaths and injuries from the #earthquake in eastern region of #Afghanistan continue to emerge, @WHOAfghanistan teams are on the ground in hospitals and health facilities, supporting the treatment of the wounded and assessing urgent health needs. We are actively delivering essential medicines and supplies and deploying health teams to affected areas to help #SaveLives,” a post by WHO Afghanistan read on X.