A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan late on Sunday, producing severe shaking across a wide area and triggering destructive landslides that left remote communities inaccessible by road.
Early reports from local officials and rescue services indicate dozens of fatalities and scores of injured, and observers expect the human toll to climb as rescue teams reach isolated settlements.
The earthquake occurred in a seismically active zone — the Hindu Kush region sits near the convergence of several tectonic plates and has a history of deadly temblors.
The timing and location complicated the emergency response: steep mountain roads and damage from landslides hampered ground access, forcing authorities to rely on air support for evacuations and medical assistance.
Local officials appealed for international organisations to provide helicopters and search-and-rescue resources, acknowledging the new regime’s limited capacity to mount a comprehensive relief operation.
Past disasters in the region have shown how vulnerable rural communities are to quake damage: traditional construction methods and dense clusters of poorly reinforced houses frequently collapse, magnifying casualties.
The incident has revived memories of previous catastrophic quakes that caused thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
Humanitarian agencies face additional logistical obstacles as they attempt to deliver shelter and medical care amid aftershocks and damaged infrastructure.
Coordination with provincial authorities and local communities will be crucial to identifying survivors, treating the wounded and providing temporary shelter and food.
The quake also underscores the need for longer-term resilience measures in Afghanistan: earthquake-resistant building practices, improved early-warning systems and investment in emergency preparedness could reduce future casualties.
For now, the immediate priority is rescue and relief, with international aid seen as essential to supplement local efforts and to prevent further loss of life in the aftermath of this severe natural disaster.
Early reports from local officials and rescue services indicate dozens of fatalities and scores of injured, and observers expect the human toll to climb as rescue teams reach isolated settlements.
The earthquake occurred in a seismically active zone — the Hindu Kush region sits near the convergence of several tectonic plates and has a history of deadly temblors.
The timing and location complicated the emergency response: steep mountain roads and damage from landslides hampered ground access, forcing authorities to rely on air support for evacuations and medical assistance.
Local officials appealed for international organisations to provide helicopters and search-and-rescue resources, acknowledging the new regime’s limited capacity to mount a comprehensive relief operation.
Past disasters in the region have shown how vulnerable rural communities are to quake damage: traditional construction methods and dense clusters of poorly reinforced houses frequently collapse, magnifying casualties.
The incident has revived memories of previous catastrophic quakes that caused thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
Humanitarian agencies face additional logistical obstacles as they attempt to deliver shelter and medical care amid aftershocks and damaged infrastructure.
Coordination with provincial authorities and local communities will be crucial to identifying survivors, treating the wounded and providing temporary shelter and food.
The quake also underscores the need for longer-term resilience measures in Afghanistan: earthquake-resistant building practices, improved early-warning systems and investment in emergency preparedness could reduce future casualties.
For now, the immediate priority is rescue and relief, with international aid seen as essential to supplement local efforts and to prevent further loss of life in the aftermath of this severe natural disaster.