A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Monday night, killing more than 800 people and injuring thousands across multiple districts.
The tremors, which originated near Jalalabad at 11:47 PM local time, were felt as far away as Islamabad, Pakistan, shaking buildings and terrifying residents.
The epicenter was located approximately 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad, with a shallow depth of 8–10 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake triggered at least three aftershocks and caused widespread destruction in districts including Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare.
Kunar province bore the brunt of the casualties, with hundreds of injured rushed to hospitals. Nine deaths were also reported in neighboring Nangarhar. Health Minister Sharafat Zaman confirmed that rescue teams are still operating in remote areas, where access remains difficult due to mountainous terrain and collapsed infrastructure.
Najibullah Hanif, Kunar’s provincial information head, said many homes made of mud and stone were completely flattened. Several children were among the dead, killed when roofs caved in during the tremors.
Afghanistan’s vulnerability to seismic activity stems from its location at the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. The Hindu Kush region, in particular, is prone to frequent and deadly earthquakes, compounding the challenges faced by a nation already grappling with decades of conflict and limited resources.
