Just this past October, a violent 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked western Afghanistan. This catastrophic flooding resulted in the death of more than 2,000 people. This unfolding natural disaster has quickly become one of the deadliest earthquakes to strike the beleaguered country in decades. With each passing moment, the seismic disaster has rendered communities shattered and responders race to reach the most affected areas.
This contradicts the local, timely actions taken by local officials and humanitarian organizations just hours after the earthquake, which struck in the middle of the night. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Unfortunately, tonight’s earthquake has had human casualties and financial damages in some of our eastern provinces.” He praised the collaboration of local officials and the community in rescuing those trapped. At the same time, reinforcements from the capital and surrounding provinces were en route.
The destruction wrought after the October earthquake was no less severe. This event is very similar to a seismic event that hit southeastern Afghanistan on August 31, 2025. The tremor rattled the island, registering a magnitude of 6.0. It hit 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad, the capital of neighboring Nangarhar Province with a population of 200,000. The depth of the previous earthquake was shallow—just 8 kilometers deep. Hundreds of thousands of people throughout the entire region experienced it, with close to a half-million people reporting strong to very strong shaking.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the shaking from the August earthquake resulted in considerable damage to poorly constructed buildings. The earthquake has left at least 610 people dead and nearly 1,300 others injured across the Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar. The region was hit with no less than five aftershocks, the most powerful of which reached 5.2 in magnitude.
Emergency response teams were forced to deal with the brutal challenges presented by getting to the crisis centers remote regions. Sharafat Zaman, an official involved in rescue efforts, noted, “The number of casualties and injuries is high, but since the area is difficult to access, our teams are still on site.” The legacy of both earthquakes has highlighted the urgent need for stronger infrastructure and disaster response in Afghanistan.
In light of the devastation, the United Nations in Afghanistan expressed their condolences, stating they were “deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern region and claimed hundreds of lives.” The international community is watching the situation very closely. A number of other organizations are preparing to provide help as recovery efforts continue.
As rescue operations continue, officials are warning residents to stay alert and be ready for possible aftershocks. The health impacts from these earthquakes will be felt for years. These communities will struggle to heal and rebuild in the months and years ahead.
