Kabul, – A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 magnitude has struck eastern Afghanistan, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 100 others injured, according to Afghan officials.
Authorities said dozens of homes were destroyed or left in ruins, with many residents feared trapped beneath collapsed structures. Rescue workers warn the death toll may rise as emergency teams struggle to reach remote mountainous areas.
Officials from the Taliban administration have urged humanitarian organizations to assist in rescue and relief efforts, especially in hard-to-reach regions where local infrastructure has been severely damaged.
The quake shook buildings as far away as Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, and was felt across the border in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, located more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the epicenter.
Afghanistan is prone to deadly earthquakes due to its location near the complex tectonic collision zones of the Indian and Eurasian plates. Poor infrastructure and the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis often exacerbate the impact of natural disasters, leaving communities highly vulnerable.
As rescue efforts continue, Afghan authorities and aid agencies fear the death toll could climb further. The latest disaster underscores the urgent need for strengthened emergency response systems in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions.
