Afghanistan Earthquake Kills Over 1,100, Thousands Injured

Kabul/Islamabad, The death toll from Sunday night’s powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen to at least 1,109, with nearly 3,000 others injured, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The 6.0 magnitude quake struck just before midnight, about 27 kilometers east of Jalalabad, near the Pakistan border. According to Shah Mahmood, a Taliban official in Nangarhar Province, the tremor flattened more than 8,000 homes, leaving thousands homeless.

Emergency workers are still struggling to reach remote mountain villages where many victims are feared trapped under rubble.

Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said most of the casualties were reported in Kunar Province, with additional deaths in neighboring Nangarhar. The Ministry of Interior also confirmed widespread devastation across several districts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 12,000 people have been directly affected by the disaster. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but limited infrastructure and difficult terrain are hampering operations.

Afghanistan has suffered several deadly earthquakes in recent years, including a 5.9 magnitude quake in June 2022 and a 6.3 magnitude tremor in October 2023. Both disasters claimed more than 1,000 lives each.

Authorities warn that the latest toll is likely to rise as rescue teams reach cut-off communities.