An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 hit eastern Afghanistan close to its border with Pakistan late on Sunday, leading to the deaths of at least 250 individuals and hundreds of injuries.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the tremor at 11:47 p.m., approximately 17 miles east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province.
Given the challenging access to the affected region, the full scope of damage and casualties remains currently undetermined.
In a statement, the Kunar Disaster Management Authority confirmed at least 250 fatalities and 500 injured, noting that these totals were anticipated to climb.
The earthquake’s depth was merely 5 miles, and typically, shallower seismic events result in more significant damage.
Just after midnight, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake also occurred within the same province.
Afghanistan is notably susceptible to seismic activity, particularly in the region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge.
Among the most lethal natural disasters to affect Afghanistan recently was a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on October 7, 2023, which impacted the South-Central Asian country and was followed by powerful aftershocks.
The Taliban administration estimated at least 4,000 fatalities, although the United Nations reported a considerably lower death count of approximately 1,500.