Afghanistan earthquake kills over 600, entire villages wiped out
Photo: A powerful earthquake struck Afghanistan (Getty Images)
An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck the eastern provinces of Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan, killing at least 622 people and injuring more than 1,500. Several villages have been destroyed, according to Sky News.
The earthquake struck at around 11:47 p.m. local time in Kunar province, near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province. The tremors affected mountainous areas, and rescue teams rushed to remote settlements.
The earthquake struck in Kunar province, near Jalalabad (map: Sky News)
Representatives of the Afghan Red Crescent reported that medical teams and rescuers are providing emergency assistance to affected families. According to a representative of the Afghan Ministry of Health, rescue operations are ongoing, and the number of dead and injured may still change.
Where is the most damage?
The most damage has been reported in the areas of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare. Some of the victims have already been taken to hospitals, but due to the inaccessibility of some areas, accurate statistics are not yet available.
The UN in Afghanistan is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern region & claimed hundreds of lives, injuring many more. Our teams are on the ground, delivering emergency assistance & lifesaving support. Our thoughts are with the affected communities pic.twitter.com/rCE6b3WzSU
— UN Afghanistan (@unafghanistan) September 1, 2025
The city of Jalalabad, located 17 miles from the epicenter, has suffered serious damage. Most of the buildings in the city are low and made of concrete or brick, but in remote areas, people live in houses made of clay and wood, which significantly increases the risk of destruction during an earthquake.
Repeated earthquakes
Twenty minutes after the first underground tremor, a second earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 struck Kunar province, followed by another with a magnitude of 5.2.
Rescue services continue to work in the affected areas, providing medical assistance and evacuating people from destroyed villages.
Ukraine is generally a seismically stable country, although certain regions—Crimea, the Carpathians, parts of Odesa and Chernivtsi regions, and some areas of central Ukraine—may experience earthquakes measuring up to 7 on the Richter scale.
Most Soviet buildings in Ukraine are designed to withstand earthquakes of up to 5 points, while modern buildings can withstand up to 6-7 points, but the actual risks depend on local geology. Soviet buildings and infrastructure may be vulnerable to strong tremors, while modern standards take into account greater loads.
