Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake in Eastern Afghanistan Claims Over 600 Lives

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, resulting in at least 622 deaths and over 1,500 injuries, according to the Taliban-run interior ministry. The quake's epicenter was located approximately 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, near the border with Pakistan.

The provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar were severely affected, with Kunar reporting 610 fatalities and 1,300 injuries, and Nangarhar recording 12 deaths and 255 injuries. The earthquake caused extensive damage, particularly in remote villages where mud and stone homes collapsed.

Rescue operations are underway, with helicopters transporting the injured to hospitals and teams working to reach isolated areas. The Afghan Red Crescent Society has deployed emergency teams to provide immediate relief and conduct assessments. The United Nations has also sent aid teams to the affected regions.

Afghanistan is prone to deadly earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This disaster adds to the country's ongoing humanitarian challenges, including reduced aid and mass deportations.