At least 250 dead after powerful earthquake rocks Afghanistan Andrea HamblinAugust 31, 2025 at 11:13 PM Powerful tremors levelled homes late on Sunday At least 250 people were killed when a powerful earthquake rocked eastern Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, on Sunday night. The 6.
- - At least 250 dead after powerful earthquake rocks Afghanistan
Andrea HamblinAugust 31, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Powerful tremors levelled homes late on Sunday
At least 250 people were killed when a powerful earthquake rocked eastern Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, on Sunday night.
The 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Jalalabad area around midnight, local time, followed by a series of aftershocks.
The Kunar Disaster Management Authority said in a statement on Monday morning that at least 250 people were confirmed dead and 500 others were injured in the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapadare.
The death toll was expected to rise as rescuers continued to search for victims – and race to find survivors – in the rubble of collapsed homes in the mountainous Kunar and Nangahar provinces.
Children were among hundreds taken to hospital - AIMAL ZAHIR
One boy was being treated for serious head injuries - AIMAL ZAHIR
Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban government spokesman, said in a social media post that "all available resources will be utilised to save lives".
"Sadly, tonight's earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces," he wrote on X.
"Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people.
"Support teams from the centre and nearby provinces are also on their way."
Homes were destroyed and roads blocked, hindering rescue efforts
Footage shared on social media showed people searching the ruins of buildings for survivors.
One video appeared to show a helicopter full of soldiers arriving in Kunar Province.
Early reports suggested that two children were among the first confirmed casualties overnight.
"The number of casualties and injuries is high, but since the area is difficult to access, our teams are still on site," Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the health ministry, said in a statement on Monday.
Hundreds more people were taken to hospital with injuries, said Najibullah Hanif, the provincial information head.
The earthquake hit 21 miles north-east of Jalalabad and at a depth of only 6 miles, according to the US Geological Survey.
Shallower quakes can be more destructive because they cause intense shaking at the earth's surface.
Hundreds of homes across eastern Afghanistan were damaged or completely destroyed - Tahir Khan /X
Volunteers helped carry the wounded to hospitals in Jalalabad - AIMAL ZAHIR
Afghanistan is prone to deadly earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
A series of earthquakes in the country's west killed more than 1,000 people last year.
The deadliest earthquake in the region occurred in October 2023 when tremors measuring 6.3-maginitude, followed by several powerful aftershocks, flattened entire villages in Herat province.
The Taliban estimated that at least 4,000 people were killed, however the United Nations said the death toll was 1,500.
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