Report – AfgNews24:Headline: Deadly 6.0-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Jalalabad, Killing at Least 622 and Injuring Over 1,500

Report by: Farahnaz Ahmadi – AfgNews24: Headline: 6.0-Magnitude Earthquake Near Jalalabad; Heavy Casualties Reported in Kunar Province

Kabul, September 1, 2025 — On Sunday night, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, causing widespread destruction across eastern Afghanistan. The disaster has resulted in devastating human loss, with the highest casualties recorded in neighboring Kunar province.

Technical Details

The quake occurred at 11:47 PM local time, with its epicenter located about 27 km east-northeast of Jalalabad, at a shallow depth of 8–10 km.

• Less than 20 minutes later, an aftershock of 4.5 magnitude rattled the same area, adding to fear and destruction.

Casualties and Damage

At least 622 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,500 injured so far.

• The highest toll was reported in Kunar province, where around 610 fatalities occurred, while Nangarhar province recorded at least 12 deaths.
• Several villages in Kunar were completely flattened, and landslides triggered by the quake have blocked key rescue routes.

Rescue Operations and Response

• Local and national rescue teams have been deployed, with helicopters delivering emergency aid to remote communities.
• Taliban officials acknowledged severe shortages of resources and said blocked mountain roads were complicating relief efforts.
• The United Nations and the International Red Cross have begun dispatching urgent humanitarian assistance.

Significance

This earthquake is one of the deadliest natural disasters in Afghanistan in recent years. Poor construction standards, mountainous geography, and limited internal resources have worsened the humanitarian crisis in the east.

Report by: Farahnaz Ahmadi – AfgNews24