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Afghanistan Earthquake Death Toll Rises
Introduction
Afghanistan, already struggling under a fragile economy and humanitarian crises, is once again reeling from a natural disaster of catastrophic proportions. A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the country’s eastern mountainous provinces late Sunday night, leaving a trail of devastation. By Tuesday, the official death toll had climbed to 900 lives lost, with an estimated 3,000 people injured, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The tremor flattened entire villages built with traditional mud-brick and wooden structures, which were unable to withstand the violent shocks. The scale of destruction has forced both local and international organizations to mobilize emergency rescue and relief operations in the country’s most inaccessible terrains.
Rising Death Toll and Rescue Operations
Yousaf Hammad, spokesman for Afghanistan’s NDMA, confirmed that the casualty figures were likely to increase further as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed homes and rubble. He warned that the number of deaths and injuries could change “significantly” as more isolated areas are reached.
“The injured are being evacuated, so these figures may change significantly,” Hammad told the Associated Press.
The earthquake triggered multiple landslides, particularly in mountainous areas of Kunar province, where steep river valleys and narrow roads make relief operations exceedingly difficult. Although roads were initially blocked, local teams, supported by Taliban authorities, have managed to reopen some routes to allow medical teams and supplies to reach survivors.
Helicopters have been deployed to airlift the severely injured to hospitals in Jalalabad and Kabul. In some areas, however, where terrain is nearly impassable, aid agencies have reported that their teams are traveling on foot for hours to reach survivors.
The Worst-Hit Province: Kunar
While the tremor affected several provinces, Kunar province bore the brunt of the devastation. With its villages scattered across steep mountains and valleys, Kunar’s population has long been vulnerable to landslides, floods, and earthquakes.
Entire households were reportedly wiped out when mud-brick homes crumbled. Survivors have described desperate attempts to rescue loved ones trapped beneath debris using only bare hands, shovels, or rudimentary tools.
Witnesses also reported widespread structural collapses in villages near Asadabad, Kunar’s provincial capital. Many survivors are now left homeless, forced to sleep in the open under makeshift tents, exposed to the elements.
The Humanitarian Situation
The earthquake has added to Afghanistan’s growing humanitarian crisis. The country is already grappling with:
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Severe economic instability following international sanctions.
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Cuts to foreign aid after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
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A healthcare system on the verge of collapse due to lack of funding and resources.
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Millions of people forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in recent months, adding to the strain on limited infrastructure.
The earthquake has displaced tens of thousands of people. With homes destroyed, survivors face the immediate challenges of shelter, food, water, and medical assistance. Relief workers warn that unless urgent aid arrives, the risk of malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and prolonged displacement could escalate dramatically.
International Aid and Political Complexities
In the wake of the disaster, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government issued an appeal for international assistance. However, the political situation complicates aid delivery.
The United Kingdom has pledged £1 million (USD 1.3 million) in emergency funding, which will be channeled through international humanitarian agencies rather than the Taliban government. The UK, like many Western nations, does not officially recognize the Taliban’s rule.
Meanwhile, China has offered disaster relief assistance, joining a small but growing list of countries and organizations expressing willingness to provide aid. Other nations are still assessing how to deliver help effectively without directly engaging with the Taliban administration.
This is the third major earthquake since the Taliban regained power in 2021, and each disaster has highlighted the difficulties international donors face in balancing humanitarian needs with political restrictions.
Voices from Aid Agencies
Mark Calder, advocacy director at the World Vision Afghanistan aid agency, warned of the long-term impact if adequate resources are not mobilized quickly.
“This will mean more people living without proper shelter, access to nutritious food to feed their families, clean water, and by extension malnutrition and disease in a context where the healthcare system simply can’t stretch,” Calder said.
According to his estimates, more than 250,000 people could be added to the ranks of those requiring immediate humanitarian aid, swelling the number of Afghans already struggling for survival.
Previous Earthquakes in Afghanistan
Afghanistan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions due to its location near major fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
Since 2021, the country has endured three major earthquakes, each causing significant loss of life and property. The latest tremor is a painful reminder of Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure is weak, housing is fragile, and access to emergency services is limited.
Survivors’ Struggles: Firsthand Accounts
Survivors in Kunar and surrounding provinces have shared harrowing stories of the night the earthquake struck. Families were asleep when their homes collapsed, leaving many buried alive.
One survivor, Abdul Rahim from a remote Kunar village, recounted:
“We felt the earth shake violently, and within seconds, the walls began to crack. My children were asleep. I managed to pull two of them out, but my youngest was trapped under the rubble. We dug for hours until neighbors came to help. By morning, we found him, but he was gone.”
Similar accounts highlight the devastating loss faced by countless families, many of whom have lost not just homes but also their primary breadwinners, leaving them without means to rebuild.
Logistical Barriers in Rescue Operations
The rugged terrain of eastern Afghanistan poses immense logistical challenges. Landslides triggered by the quake have destroyed sections of already fragile road networks. In many villages, rescue efforts rely on donkeys, foot patrols, and makeshift rafts to cross rivers.
International humanitarian organizations, while committed to providing aid, face hurdles in transporting relief materials. Medical supplies, food, tents, and clean water are all urgently needed, but reaching the most isolated areas remains an uphill task.
The Role of the Taliban Government
The Taliban administration has mobilized local fighters and government officials to assist in rescue and relief efforts. Bulldozers and basic machinery are being deployed, but resources remain scarce.
Critics argue that Afghanistan’s reliance on international aid remains overwhelming due to the Taliban’s limited capacity to respond to large-scale disasters. While the government has called for global solidarity, questions remain about whether aid will reach those most in need efficiently and transparently.
Future Risks and Preparedness
Experts warn that Afghanistan’s lack of disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure will continue to make such tragedies inevitable. The majority of rural housing structures are built using mud bricks, offering little resistance against seismic activity.
Without investment in earthquake-resistant housing, early-warning systems, and stronger healthcare infrastructure, future earthquakes could result in similar or even greater loss of life.
Global Responsibility and Humanitarian Urgency
The Afghan earthquake underscores a broader humanitarian challenge: how the international community can support ordinary Afghans without legitimizing the Taliban government. Aid agencies argue that politics should not prevent emergency response when lives are at stake.
International solidarity in times of disaster has the power to save lives. As one aid worker put it:
“Afghanistan’s people are trapped between natural disasters and political isolation. They need the world’s compassion now more than ever.”
Conclusion
The deadly 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces has left nearly 900 people dead and 3,000 injured, with Kunar province hardest hit. Entire villages have been wiped out, survivors are struggling without shelter or food, and aid agencies warn of worsening conditions if urgent resources are not mobilized.
The disaster is yet another blow to Afghanistan, already burdened with economic turmoil, forced migration, and an overwhelmed healthcare system. While international aid pledges have begun, logistical challenges, political complexities, and the scale of devastation make recovery a monumental task.
As the dust settles and rescue operations continue, Afghanistan stands at the crossroads of tragedy and resilience. For its people, survival now depends on swift humanitarian action, global solidarity, and long-term investments in disaster preparedness.
