6.0-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan Near Pakistan Border

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border late Sunday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 11:47 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province, at a depth of 8 kilometers.

Initial reports indicate at least nine fatalities and 25 injuries in Nangarhar, as stated by Ajmal Darwaish, spokesman for the province's health department.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged the human casualties and financial damages in some eastern provinces, stating that local officials and residents are making all efforts to rescue affected individuals, with support teams from the capital and nearby provinces en route.

Approximately 20 minutes after the initial quake, a 4.5-magnitude aftershock struck the same region, followed by a 5.2-magnitude aftershock, both at a depth of 10 kilometers.

The USGS PAGER system issued an orange alert, indicating that significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread.

Afghanistan is situated near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, making it prone to seismic activity. In October 2023, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in western Afghanistan resulted in over 2,000 deaths, one of the deadliest quakes in recent years.

This is a developing story; further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.