A third significant earthquake has struck southeastern Afghanistan, compounding the devastation from earlier tremors that have killed over 2,200 people and injured thousands more, with rescue operations struggling against challenging conditions.
On Thursday night, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit Afghanistan’s remote southeastern region, specifically affecting Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. The quake occurred at 20:56 local time, sending residents fleeing their shelters in panic. Initial reports did not indicate new casualties from this latest event, but medics on the ground reported treating several wounded individuals.
The death toll from the initial magnitude 6.0 earthquake on Sunday has surged to at least 2,205, according to Taliban authorities, with the United Nations citing 1,368 confirmed deaths based on assessments from 25 villages. Many victims remain trapped under rubble, and bodies continue to be recovered as rescue teams gain access to previously isolated areas.
Rescue and relief efforts face immense challenges due to the region’s rugged, mountainous terrain. Landslides triggered by the quakes have blocked roads, forcing authorities to rely on helicopters for search and rescue operations. The Taliban government has deployed army commandos to assist, but the remote location of many villages continues to hamper response times.
Aid organizations report critical shortages of supplies and funding. The Norwegian Refugee Council, for instance, has only $100,000 available for emergency response, leaving a significant funding gap. Medical camps are running out of medicines, and there is an urgent need for tents, food, and clean water for the estimated 84,000 affected people.
The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by Afghanistan’s ongoing economic struggles and the reduction in international aid following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Many hospitals and clinics have closed due to funding cuts, and the country is also dealing with drought and the forced return of millions of refugees from Pakistan and Iran.
International response has included emergency funds from the UN and a £1 million pledge from the UK, but aid workers stress that more support is urgently needed. The situation highlights Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, situated as it is on active fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
Looking ahead, the focus remains on immediate rescue and relief, but long-term recovery will require sustained international assistance and improved disaster preparedness in a region frequently struck by devastating earthquakes.