One of Afghanistan’s worst earthquakes in recent years has left more than 600 people dead and over 1,500 injured.
The magnitude 6.0 quake struck the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar on Thursday, leveling homes and reducing entire villages to rubble.
According to officials, 610 deaths were recorded in Kunar alone, while 12 others lost their lives in Nangarhar.
More than 420 of the wounded and deceased were airlifted by military helicopters as aid efforts intensified.
“This is one of the darkest days for our people,” a local rescue worker said,
“Families have been wiped out, and survivors are searching for loved ones with their bare hands.”
Rescue operations have been ongoing since the early hours after the quake.
Helicopters ferried injured survivors to nearby hospitals while military teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies from collapsed homes.
However, the mountainous terrain and poor road access have slowed efforts, leaving many villages cut off from immediate help.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have raised concerns about the lack of international support.
Afghanistan, already reeling from years of conflict, poverty, and reduced foreign aid, faces a growing crisis.
Moreover, aid workers fear that thousands of displaced families may struggle with shelter, food, and clean water in the coming days.
This disaster marks Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquake since June 2022, when more than 1,000 people were killed in Paktika province.
In addition, health officials have warned that hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties.
Local doctors are calling for urgent medical supplies, saying many patients risk dying from untreated injuries.
Despite the scale of devastation, no major international relief has been confirmed.
