Powerful 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan Near Pakistan Border

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 in magnitude struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, shaking the mountainous region near the border with Pakistan. According to initial reports, the quake hit the Jalalabad area just around midnight local time, with its epicenter located at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), intensifying the shaking felt across the region.

The tremor rattled communities in the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range, an area historically prone to seismic activity due to its complex fault lines. Residents in both Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan reported feeling the quake, though detailed damage assessments and casualty reports are still pending due to the remote location and difficult terrain. 

This latest quake brings back painful memories of the devastating earthquake that struck Afghanistan's western Herat province in October 2023, which claimed at least 2,400 lives, according to the Taliban administration. With infrastructure in many Afghan provinces already fragile due to years of conflict and limited resources, natural disasters like these pose a serious threat to life and recovery efforts. According to the Taliban-run Interior Ministry, the death toll from the powerful 6.0‑magnitude quake that struck eastern Afghanistan has now risen to 622, with more than 1,500 people injured.

Emergency response teams have reportedly been mobilized, although access to affected regions across Nangarhar, Kunar, and Laghman remains a challenge due to the mountainous geography and limited road networks. Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious as aftershocks may follow.

afghanistan lies in a seismically active zone and frequently experiences moderate to strong earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush region that borders Pakistan. The geological volatility of the area, combined with densely packed rural settlements and fragile housing, often results in tragic consequences when earthquakes strike.

Rescue operations are expected to continue in the coming hours, and officials are calling for international support to aid in potential humanitarian relief efforts.