6.0 Earthquake Kills Over 620, Injures 1,500 in Eastern Afghanistan

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, primarily affecting Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, killing at least 622 people and injuring over 1,500, with numbers expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. The quake, occurring at a shallow depth of 8 kilometers, caused extensive destruction, leveling villages built with fragile mud-and-stone structures and triggering landslides that obstructed key access routes, complicating relief operations. Rescue teams and helicopters have been deployed despite difficult terrain and damaged infrastructure, with medical teams arriving from Kabul and surrounding provinces to assist the injured. Afghanistan, situated in the seismically active Hindu Kush mountain range, frequently experiences earthquakes due to tectonic plate activity, and this recent disaster adds to the country's ongoing vulnerability. The Taliban government faces significant challenges in delivering humanitarian aid amid limited resources and has appealed for urgent international assistance to provide medical aid, shelter, and emergency supplies. Experts emphasize the need for improved disaster preparedness, including safer building practices and enhanced early warning systems, to mitigate future earthquake impacts in this high-risk region.