A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing at least 250 people and injuring more than 500, according to local officials.
The epicenter was located approximately 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad, near the mountainous border with Pakistan.
The quake, which hit at 11:47 PM local time, was shallow—only 8 to 10 kilometers deep—causing widespread destruction in Kunar and surrounding districts. Tremors were felt across eastern Afghanistan and as far as Islamabad, Pakistan.
Rescue teams are racing against time to locate survivors trapped under collapsed mud and stone homes. The region’s rugged terrain and limited infrastructure have hampered relief efforts, with officials warning that the death toll may rise as reports from remote areas continue to emerge.
Among the victims were several children whose home collapsed during the tremors. Hospitals in Kunar and Nangarhar are overwhelmed, and emergency medical teams have been deployed to assist.
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, further straining the country’s fragile infrastructure and recovery efforts.
