Afghanistan Earthquake Kills Over 600, Injures 1,500 in Kunar, Nangarhar

A powerful earthquake of magnitude around 6.0 to 6.3 struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, primarily impacting the Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. The quake, occurring late Sunday night at a shallow depth of approximately 8 kilometers, caused extensive destruction, razing multiple villages and destroying many houses, particularly in remote and mountainous districts such as Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, Chapadare, and Nurgal. Official reports confirm at least 610 to 622 deaths and over 1,300 to 1,500 injuries, with casualty figures expected to rise as rescue operations continue. Medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kabul have been deployed to assist overwhelmed hospitals and aid in relief efforts, but logistical challenges and damaged communications are hindering rescue work. This disaster adds to Afghanistan's ongoing humanitarian crises amid reduced international aid, with local residents often forced to dig through rubble to find survivors. No foreign government assistance has been reported yet, though aid agencies are rushing to provide support in this earthquake-prone region along the Hindu Kush mountains.