According to the reports on Thursday (04 September), a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Kunar province, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. Taliban officials confirmed that at least 1,457 people have died, while more than 3,394 have been injured, with homes and infrastructure in ruins. Neighboring Nangarhar province also reported significant damage, with thousands more injured and thousands of houses destroyed. Rescue workers continue to recover bodies from the rubble, and officials say the recovery effort is far from complete.
Survivors are facing acute shortages of food, clean water and medical care. Taliban authorities claim humanitarian assistance has been distributed and that roads to remote areas have been reopened. They also reported that specialized international rescue teams have joined the operations. However, many locals and aid workers dispute these claims, saying the relief efforts remain slow and uneven.
The mountainous terrain of eastern Afghanistan and the scale of destruction have made rescue operations extremely difficult. International organizations such as the Red Cross and the World Health Organisation, along with aid shipments from India, Japan, Iran and Turkey, are supporting relief efforts. Despite this, access challenges have delayed the delivery of vital supplies and medical aid to those most in need. Afghanistan’s position on multiple fault lines makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, compounding the risk of disasters like this one.
On 1 September, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed condolences to Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi over the tragic loss of lives. India has already delivered 1,000 family tents to Kabul, along with 15 tonnes of food supplies being moved to Kunar. Further relief material is expected to be sent soon. Jaishankar reiterated that India stands firmly with Afghanistan in this difficult time, extending support for both immediate relief and longer-term recovery.
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Afghanistan earthquake leaves 1457 dead thousands injured and homes destroyed in Kunar
