Earthquake in Afghanistan Leaves More Than 800 Dead

Kabul, Afghanistan — September 1, 2025 — A powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on Sunday, August 31, leaving at least 800 people dead and injuring between 2,500 and 2,800 others, authorities have confirmed.

🌍 What Happened

The quake hit at approximately 11:47 p.m. local time, centered near Jalalabad in Kunar Province, with severe destruction also reported in Nangarhar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces  . The shallow epicenter—just 8 km underground—triggered widespread landslides and building collapses, particularly in remote mountainous villages.

📋 Casualties & Damage

Deaths: Taliban officials report over 812 fatalities; other updates estimate the injured to be anywhere from 2,500 to 2,839 people    . Entire villages were flattened, mud-brick homes collapsed, and critical infrastructure was destroyed—hindering rescue and recovery efforts.

🚁 Rescue Operations

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed deployment of helicopters, medical teams, and rescue personnel, with at least 40 evacuation flights conducted so far  . Aid organizations and the UN have begun dispatching emergency teams, though rough terrain and blocked roads are slowing access to affected areas.

🧍 Personal Accounts & Humanitarian Impact

Survivors described harrowing scenes: villagers in Nurgal district reported mass loss of life in their communities, with bodies trapped beneath rubble and graveyards overwhelmed  . One resident lamented, “There is death in every home,” reflecting widespread trauma and grief.

Women and children in some areas face particular hardships accessing urgent care, due to cultural barriers and a shortage of female rescue personnel.

⚠️ Broader Context

This earthquake is among the worst in Afghanistan’s recent history, following deadly tremors in 2022 and 2023 which claimed hundreds to thousands of lives  . The disaster worsens long-standing humanitarian crises fueled by poverty, mass deportations, and declining international aid.

🧾 Summary

In the early hours of September 1, a devastating earthquake ravaged eastern Afghanistan—particularly Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, killing 800+ people and injuring thousands more, many of whom remain trapped under rubble. Rescue efforts are ongoing but severely challenged by terrain, infrastructure collapse, and limited resources.

Authorities warn that casualty numbers may rise as rescue teams reach more remote villages.