The death toll from the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has crossed 1,400, with more than 3,000 people injured. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the figures on Tuesday, adding that rescue teams are working tirelessly to pull survivors from the rubble.
The 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck late Sunday night in a mountainous region, flattening entire villages and trapping residents under debris for hours. According to Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, the numbers may rise further as more people are being rescued. Landslides triggered by the quake blocked several roads, but authorities have managed to reopen some routes while working to restore access to the remaining areas.
The epicenter was near Kunar province, affecting nearby Nangarhar province and Jalalabad city. Aftershocks further worsened the situation. Videos circulating on social media show rescuers carrying the injured on stretchers into helicopters, while locals continue clearing rubble with bare hands. Most casualties have been reported from Kunar province.
Frequent earthquakes in Afghanistan are linked to its geographical position at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which often collide and trigger seismic activity.
