Afghanistan Earthquake Kills 800+, Injures Thousands in Kunar, Nangarhar

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the city of Jalalabad, primarily devastating Kunar province, where around 800 people were killed and over 2,500 injured, according to Taliban government figures. Neighboring provinces Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan, and Panjshir also reported casualties and damage, with Nangarhar alone seeing 12 deaths and 255 injuries. The shallow depth of the quake exacerbated the destruction, collapsing many mud-brick homes and leaving entire villages inaccessible due to blocked roads and rough terrain, complicating rescue efforts. Helicopters and local residents have been evacuating the injured and pulling survivors from the rubble, but hospitals are overwhelmed, and many remain trapped under debris. The Taliban's disaster management authority is calling for international aid to help address the humanitarian crisis amid other ongoing challenges faced by Afghanistan's administration. Heavy rains and the risk of landslides further hinder rescue operations, while efforts continue to prevent water contamination from animal carcasses amid the disaster aftermath.