Afghanistan earthquake kills over 600, injures 1,500 as villages reduced to rubble

Villages Destroyed: Officials confirmed that at least three villages in Kunar province were completely razed, with many others heavily damaged. Footage showed people digging through rubble by hand to find survivors, while helicopters carried injured villagers to hospitals. Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Matin Qani said casualty numbers were still changing as reports came in from remote hamlets difficult to access. (AP Photo)

Rescue Efforts: Rescue operations were underway Monday, with teams dispatched from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kabul. The Health Ministry said the Defence Ministry had flown in 30 doctors and 800 kilograms of medical supplies. Military aircraft conducted at least 40 flights, transporting more than 420 wounded and deceased. Taliban officials said all available security, food, transport, and health resources had been mobilised. (Reuters Photo)

Difficult Conditions: Authorities warned that the rugged terrain and poor road infrastructure were complicating rescue operations. Landslides triggered by the quake blocked access routes, making it difficult for emergency workers to reach affected areas. Most houses in the region were made of mud and stone, which collapsed easily. Residents said many families remained trapped under rubble as aid struggled to arrive. (AP Photo)

Hospitals Overwhelmed: Hundreds of injured people were being rushed to Nangarhar Regional Hospital in Jalalabad, Afghanistan’s main medical facility in the east. Officials said medical services were overwhelmed, with shortages of supplies and staff. The United Nations confirmed teams were on the ground providing emergency assistance. Taliban leader Nooruddin Turab, head of disaster management, arrived in Kunar to oversee relief efforts. (AP Photo)

Past Earthquakes: Afghanistan has a history of devastating earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush region, where the Eurasian and Indian plates meet. In 2023, a magnitude 6.3 quake in Herat killed more than 2,000 people. In 2022, over 1,000 people died in Paktika province after a 5.9 tremor. Earlier disasters include deadly quakes in 2015, 2002, and 1998, with thousands of lives lost. (Reuters Photo)

Vulnerable Region: Experts said eastern Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and dense population make it highly vulnerable to quakes. Unstable hillsides frequently trigger landslides, which block roads and delay rescue efforts. Poor construction standards further heighten risks. Most rural homes are built with mud bricks and wood, unable to withstand seismic shocks. Analysts warned that aftershocks and continuing tremors could cause further destruction and fear. (AP Photo)

Jalalabad Profile: Jalalabad, near the epicentre, is a major trade hub of about 300,000 people with strong agricultural output. Its economy relies on farming citrus fruits and rice, supported by the Kabul River. While the city has many low-rise concrete and brick buildings, the surrounding villages are far less developed, leaving residents particularly exposed to natural disasters like earthquakes and seasonal floods. (AFP Photo)

Ongoing Crisis: This was Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquake since June 2022. The disaster compounds an already severe humanitarian situation caused by war, reduced foreign aid, and mass deportations of Afghans from neighbouring countries. Officials said no foreign governments had yet offered assistance. The United Nations expressed deep sadness and pledged continued support. Casualty figures are expected to rise as reports arrive from remote areas. (AFP Photo)