A 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, killing more than 800 people and destroying several villages near the border with Pakistan, officials confirmed.

Epicenter and Impact

The quake’s epicenter was about 17 miles east of Jalalabad, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The hardest-hit area was Kunar Province, where at least 800 people died and over 2,500 were injured. In neighboring Nangarhar Province, 12 people were killed and more than 250 injured.

Villages Devastated

Entire villages in Kunar’s Nurgal district, including Sholt, Arit, Mamagal, and Wadir, were reduced to rubble. Rescue teams fear many more remain trapped under collapsed homes.

Emergency Response

Afghan authorities deployed soldiers, helicopters, and ambulances to aid in rescue operations. The Ministry of Defense reported 40 evacuation flights carrying hundreds of injured to hospitals.

International Support

The United Nations said its staff were “deeply saddened” and pledged to coordinate relief efforts. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed solidarity with Afghanistan, promising assistance to those affected.

History of Quakes

Afghanistan has faced several deadly earthquakes in recent years, including a 5.9 magnitude quake in 2022 and a 6.3 magnitude one in 2023, both of which claimed over 1,000 lives.

For more on the devastating earthquake, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.