At least 800 people have been confirmed dead and 2,500 injured in Afghanistan following a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the country’s northeast region, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue efforts face challenges in remote areas.
Epicenter and Immediate Impact
The quake, centered about 27 kilometers south of Jalalabad, struck before midnight on August 31, 2025. The most affected province was Kunar, where at least 800 died and 2,500 were injured, according to Taliban spokesperson Sabihullah Mujahid.
Humanitarian Concerns
Three entire villages in the Nurgal district were completely destroyed. Rescue operations are progressing slowly due to blocked roads and difficult access in the remote mountainous region. “We have never experienced anything like this,” said Kunar official Ijas Ullah Javiad.
Secondary Shocks and Previous Disasters
Afghanistan, often struck by earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, continued to experience after-shocks. A 5.2 magnitude aftershock occurred, part of a series of tremors since recent floods hit Nangarhar, resulting in at least five deaths.
