Deadly Earthquake in Afghanistan Kills Over 1,400, Leaves Thousands Injured and Buried

Rescuers are working to save several people who are suspected to be trapped in the rubble

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan just after midnight on Monday, devastating remote mountain villages in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces and killing more than 1,400 people. Thousands more have been injured, and many remain trapped under collapsed homes as rescuers struggle to reach isolated communities.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society confirmed at least 1,124 deaths and 3,251 injuries, with more than 8,000 homes destroyed. Officials warned that the death toll is expected to rise as teams continue to pull bodies from the rubble. “We cannot accurately predict how many bodies might still be trapped under the rubble,” said Ehsanullah Ehsan, provincial head of disaster management. “Our effort is to complete these operations as soon as possible and to begin distributing aid to the affected families.”

More than 1,100 people have been killed in Afghanistan 's deadliest earthquake in years, with thousands more injured and many still buried under collapsed homes

The quake, which struck at a shallow depth of six miles, caused landslides that blocked narrow mountain roads and hindered rescue efforts. Bad weather further complicated operations, forcing helicopters to airlift some of the most severely injured to hospitals in Kabul and Nangarhar. Heavy machinery is being deployed to clear roads and deliver aid.

The United Nations said the disaster could affect hundreds of thousands of people. UNICEF warned that thousands of children are at risk and is rushing medicine, tents, tarpaulins, warm clothing, and hygiene supplies, including soap, detergent, sanitary pads, towels, and water containers. The World Health Organization reported over 12,000 people impacted and noted that damaged roads, aftershocks, and remote village locations are impeding aid delivery. The pre-earthquake fragility of Afghanistan’s healthcare system has left local capacity overwhelmed, creating near-total dependence on international support.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society said on Tuesday that at least 1,124 people are confirmed dead and 3,251 have been hurt, with more than 8,000 homes destroyed

Taliban fighters have been deployed to secure affected areas and assist with relief efforts, adding pressure to a government already strained by sanctions, shrinking foreign aid, and mass deportations from neighboring countries. Britain has allocated £1 million to support U.N. and Red Cross relief operations, while India delivered 1,000 tents and 15 tonnes of food to Kunar. China, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, Pakistan, and Iran have pledged assistance, though much aid has yet to reach the affected regions.

Afghanistan is prone to deadly earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. The nation’s limited resources and ongoing conflict have made disaster response extremely challenging, exacerbated by recent cuts in foreign aid.

Aid groups have warned that the death toll will rise as teams pull bodies from the rubble