Afghanistan Hit by Successive Earthquakes, Death Toll Exceeds 1,400

Afghanistan has been struck by a series of powerful earthquakes in its eastern and southeastern regions, with the most recent aftershock measuring 5.5 magnitude occurring just days after a devastating 6.0 magnitude quake. The initial earthquake has resulted in over 1,400 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries, with particularly severe damage reported in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, where landslides have blocked roads, severely hampering rescue efforts. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and many people remain trapped under rubble amid difficult mountainous terrain that restricts access for aid and rescue workers. The Taliban administration has appealed for international assistance, while organizations like the United Nations and Save the Children have urged the global community to release emergency funds urgently to address disrupted access to clean water, food shortages, and the risk of disease. Rescue operations continue under challenging conditions, with officials emphasizing the critical need for rapid response to save lives in isolated villages cut off by landslides and aftershocks. These recent earthquakes are among the deadliest and most destructive to hit Afghanistan since the Taliban assumed power in 2021, following previous fatal quakes in 2022 and 2023.