Devastating Earthquake in Afghanistan Claims Over 800 Lives

Tue Sep 23 2025 10:44:39 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, leaving communities in shock with significant loss of life and property. Rescue efforts are ongoing amidst challenging conditions.

In the aftermath of a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, at least 800 individuals have been reported dead according to United Nations estimates. Eyewitness accounts describe fear and turmoil as residents, like Matiullah Shahab, recount their experiences during the night of terror. With rescue operations hampered by blocked roads, many in remote areas await help. Volunteers are making courageous efforts to reach the most devastated villages while many families are left homeless, experiencing profound grief over the loss of loved ones.

Just before midnight on Sunday, Matiullah Shahab woke up to find his house in Afghanistan's remote Kunar province shaking.

An earthquake measuring 6.0 magnitude had struck eastern Afghanistan, leaving at least 800 people dead, according to the UN.

Even though the epicentre of the quake was 16km (10 miles) away, the whole of Shahab's village of Asadabad trembled. The 23 family members who live with him ran out of their bedrooms as they feared the walls would fall in on them, and stayed awake all night in their garden. 'We were all afraid,' he says.

The areas worst hit by the quake were Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, but it was felt as far away as Kabul and in neighbouring Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

When day broke, Matiullah drove from his home to try to reach the remote mountainous area at the epicentre of the quake.

He exerted considerable effort, walking for two hours to arrive at the village of Andarlachak, where medics were treating young children in the streets. Many bodies were already identified, with 79 fatalities in that village alone.

‘I saw many dead bodies,’ Matiullah recounted. ‘I felt the aftershocks 17 times.’

His assistance extended to helping local people dig graves for the deceased while commenting on the affected villages, ‘The villages I visited were destroyed.’ One devastated man told Shabab that he had lost his wife and four children. But most villagers were too shocked to convey their grief. 'Peoples' faces were covered in dust and there was a silence,' he noted.

Rescue operations led by the Taliban Government are ongoing, facing significant challenges due to the remote terrain, with many in need of basic shelter and supplies.

Another resident, Ezzatullah Safi, described the earthquake as a small apocalypse, noting the overwhelming atmosphere of grief pervading the community. With extensive destruction and lack of communication, the situation remains dire as areas remain inaccessible.

The immediate effects of the quake render the future uncertain for affected families, emphasizing the urgent need for aid and assistance.