A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan—specifically the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar—late on August 31, 2025, at around 11:47 PM local

• The quake was relatively shallow, with a depth of about 8–10 km, which contributed to its destructive impact.

• Location & Impact

  • The epicenter was located near Kuz Kunar District, about 27 km east-northeast of Jalalabad, close to the border with Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

  • Entire villages in Kunar province have reportedly been destroyed, with substantial damage elsewhere.

• Assaults and Damage

  • As of September 1, 2025, the death toll stands at over 800 people, with 2,500 to 2,800 people injured.

  • Reuters reports at least 812 fatalities and 2,800 injuries.

  • The Taliban-run interior ministry has reported somewhat lower numbers: 622 deaths and over 1,500 injuries, though officials caution that the figures could rise.

  • Al Jazeera states “at least 800 killed and 2,500 injured,” while noting that flooding and rubble are major hurdles in rescue missions

  

  Rescue & Response Efforts

  • Rescue teams are facing major challenges due to mountainous terrain, poor road conditions, and recent flash flooding.

  • Helicopters are being used extensively—reports mention 40 flights, evacuating 420 injured and deceased individuals.

  • Local authorities are calling for international humanitarian aid. India has already dispatched 1,000 family tents and plans to send 15 tonnes of food to Kunar. The UN, Iran, and others have also offered or initiated support.

  
  
  

Rescue & Response Efforts

• Rescue teams are facing major challenges due to mountainous terrain, poor road conditions, and recent flash flooding.

• Helicopters are being used extensively—reports mention 40 flights, evacuating 420 injured and deceased individuals.

• Local authorities are calling for international humanitarian aid. India has already dispatched 1,000 family tents and plans to send 15 tonnes of food to Kunar. The UN, Iran, and others have also offered or initiated support.    

Core Challenges Facing Rescue Operations

Rescue teams' efforts are primarily constrained by three major objective conditions, which have directly increased the difficulty of rescue work and delayed progress:

• Terrain Obstacles: The complex mountainous terrain (such as steep slopes, gorges, etc.) makes it difficult for ground rescue personnel to reach disaster-stricken areas quickly, and also hinders the transportation of equipment.
• Transportation Issues: Poor road conditions (possibly due to damaged pavements, mud, or blockages) have further cut off ground rescue routes, making it impossible to rely on vehicles for efficient transportation of personnel and supplies.
• Impact of Secondary Disasters: Recent flash flooding may have destroyed more infrastructure and could trigger risks such as landslides, posing threats to the safety of both rescuers and affected people.

Rescue Measures and External Support

To address these difficulties, targeted measures have been taken locally, and assistance has been received from multiple countries and international organizations:

·          Air Rescue as the Main Force: Due to limited ground conditions, helicopters have been extensively used. Currently, there have been 40 flight sorties, with the primary task of evacuating people — a total of 420 individuals (including the injured and the bodies of the deceased) have been evacuated, making this the most effective method for personnel transfer.

·          International Aid Launched: Local authorities have proactively sought international humanitarian assistance, and substantial responses have already been made:

·          India has taken the lead, delivering 1,000 family tents (to address temporary housing needs) and planning to send an additional 15 tonnes of food (to ensure basic survival needs). The aid’s primary target is Kunar (a province in eastern Afghanistan frequently affected by natural disasters).

·          The United Nations (UN), Iran, and other parties have also expressed their intention to support or have initiated aid procedures, forming a pattern of coordinated assistance from multiple countries.

More Detail	Information
Date & Time	August 31, 2025 at ~11:47 PM (local time)
Magnitude	6.0
Location	Eastern Afghanistan – Kunar & Nangarhar
Depth	~8–10 km shallow quake
Casualties	800–812+ dead; 1,500–2,800+ injured
Damage	Entire villages destroyed, especially in Kunar
Rescue	Ongoing; helicopters used; terrain & flooding obstructive
Aid Response	Indian relief, UN, Iran, others mobilizing