Third Earthquake Hits Southeast Afghanistan, Death Toll Surpasses 2,200

A series of powerful earthquakes has struck southeastern Afghanistan since Sunday, with the latest tremor of magnitude 6.2 hitting the remote Shiwa district near the Pakistan border. These quakes, including a magnitude 6.0 initial earthquake and a 5.5 aftershock, have devastated the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, destroying over 6,700 houses and leaving tens of thousands homeless. The confirmed death toll has risen to more than 2,200, with at least 3,640 injured, as rescue teams continue to recover bodies from the rubble amid ongoing aftershocks. The rough, mountainous terrain has severely hampered relief efforts, prompting the Taliban government to deploy helicopters and commandos to aid in search and rescue operations. Aid agencies warn of critical shortages of food, medical supplies, and shelter for survivors, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. Eyewitnesses report total destruction of homes and possessions, with many survivors forced to live outdoors under dire conditions.