At midnight on August 31, 2025, an earthquake of magnitude-6.0 hit eastern Afghanistan just before midnight, levelling entire villages and killing at least 800 people across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces of Afghanistan. Reports estimate 1,300 to 2,800 injuries related to this tragedy with the latter figure depending on reports from PBS, AP News and ABC. This powerful earthquake’s shallow depth and forceful impact shattered thousands of homes built of fragile mud and stone materials, leaving thousands without shelter. Districts like Wadir, Shomash, Masud, Areet and Mazar-e-Dara in Kunar were particularly hard hit – entire hamlets in those districts reduced to rubble while as many as 90% of residents may have died or been injured, according to Wikipedia sources. Surviving residents reported scenes of devastation and loss. Hameed Jan recounted being trapped under collapsing walls as he attempted to save family members: he described feeling as though “the entire mountain were collapsing on us”. Eventually fellow villagers managed to free him, yet many members of his own family including wife, children, and siblings were among the deceased, according to The Guardian. Rescue operations have begun; however progress is slow. Helicopters and military units have conducted over 40 flights so far, transporting over 420 casualties to regional hospitals from Indiatimes Wikipedia reports. However, many remote areas remain inaccessible due to blocked roads, landslides, or treacherous terrain (People.com + The Times of India). Local medical facilities are straining to keep up with rising demand. Hospitals in Asadabad and its nearby areas are operating in emergency mode, admitting patients on a continuous basis – People.com/+2@AP News has reported. United Nations and aid agencies such as UNICEF and Red Cross have deployed emergency teams and medical supplies, but resource shortages continue. [Wikipedia +1]. Vulnerable groups face tremendous hurdles; women and children in conservative regions like Kunar often experience delays in accessing medical care due to cultural norms and shortages of female healthcare providers, according to India Times. The Taliban government has made an appeal for international assistance. Iran and India have pledged humanitarian support while United Nations teams are on the ground assisting relief efforts. Still, years of declining aid have left relief systems fragile – reinforcing the urgent need to strengthen disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
