KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A strong earthquake rocked eastern Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan, wiping out many villages and leaving a trail of destruction. So far, over 250 people have died, and at least 500 have been reported injured, but officials are concerned the toll could rise as search and rescue teams make their way into the affected areas.
The quake hit late Sunday, targeting a string of towns in Kunar province, not far from Jalalabad city in Nangarhar province. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.0 at 11:47 p.m., with its epicenter located 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad and just 8 kilometers deep. Shallower earthquakes typically cause more severe damages.
According to the Kunar Disaster Management Authority, the districts most impacted include Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare, with significant casualties logged in each location.
“Rescue efforts are still in full swing, and several villages have been totally flattened. We’re seeing changes in the casualty counts as new reports come in. Medical personnel from Kunar, Nangarhar, and the capital, Kabul, are on-site,” mentioned Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the public health ministry.
He also added that there are still some areas that couldn’t communicate their numbers, so “it’s likely that the figures will keep shifting” as information comes in about more deaths and injuries.
Jalalabad, known for its vibrant trading activity due to its closeness to Pakistan, is also a crucial border point. While the city’s official population ratio stands at about 300,000, experts believe that the metropolitan area is significantly larger. The architecture displays a mix of low-rise concrete and brick structures, complemented by neighborhoods of mud-brick and wooden homes, some of which were already poorly constructed.
Agricultural activities also thrive around Jalalabad, focusing on crops like citrus and rice, with the Kabul River coursing through the area.
Only recently, a magnitude 6.3 tremor shook Afghanistan on October 7, 2023, accompanied by intense aftershocks. The Taliban-led administration foresaw an estimated 4,000 lives lost, while the United Nations projected far fewer fatalities—around 1,500. This has been noted as the deadliest natural disaster to hit Afghanistan in recent time.
