In the late hours of Sunday, September 1, 2025, a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, unleashing devastation across a region already burdened by years of hardship, poverty, and political uncertainty. The quake, which hit just before midnight near the border with Pakistan—about 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province—sent tremors through the mountainous terrain, flattening entire villages and leaving a trail of destruction that emergency officials say may take months, if not years, to fully comprehend.
According to The Washington Post, more than 1,400 people have been confirmed dead as of Tuesday, September 2, 2025, and over 3,000 have been injured. The numbers, officials warn, could still rise as rescue teams struggle to reach remote communities cut off by landslides and damaged roads. "I fear the death toll will rise," said Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for the Taliban-run National Disaster Management Authority, underscoring the grim reality facing first responders on the ground.
The quake’s shallow depth—measured at just 8 kilometers by the U.S. Geological Survey—contributed to its destructiveness. As reported by CNN, nearly half a million people likely felt strong to very strong shaking, which is known to cause significant damage to structures, especially in rural Afghanistan where homes are often constructed from mud or other fragile materials.
Konar province bore the brunt of the disaster, with local officials telling The Washington Post and TIME that entire villages have been flattened. Casualties and severe damage were also reported in Nangahar, the quake’s epicenter, as well as in Laghman, Nuristan, and Panjshir provinces. The devastation extended beyond the Afghan border, with tremors felt in neighboring Pakistan, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
Photos and eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the aftermath: rows of brick houses buried under muddy debris, families digging with shovels and bare hands in desperate attempts to find survivors, and chaotic scenes as wounded residents were stretchered onto helicopters for evacuation. "I was half-buried and unable to get out," recalled Sadiqullah, a resident of Nurgal in Kunar province, in an interview with the Associated Press. He tragically lost his wife and two sons in the collapse.
As if the initial quake were not enough, the region was rattled again on Tuesday evening by a 5.2-magnitude aftershock northeast of Jalalabad, according to the USGS. It was one of at least five aftershocks recorded in the hours following the main event, adding to the sense of fear and uncertainty among survivors.
Rescue efforts have been hampered not only by the challenging geography—mountainous terrain, heavy rains, and landslides—but also by the destruction of roads and communications networks. "The affected areas are remote, rural and mountainous, and landslides and floods make it even harder to reach them. These are poor villages and many of the homes are made from mud or flimsy materials that completely collapsed," said Ibrahim Ahmed Alhomadi, Islamic Relief’s head of programmes in Afghanistan, as quoted by TIME.
The earthquake struck at a precarious moment for Afghanistan, which remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Years of drought, the forced return of more than 2.4 million Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan, and a malnutrition crisis have all stretched resources thin. The situation has been exacerbated by substantial cuts to foreign aid, particularly from Western nations. Earlier this year, the United States halted more than $1.7 billion in aid contracts, and other donors, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have reduced their contributions. Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has plummeted to $767 million in 2025, down from $3.8 billion just three years ago, according to Reuters.
"This adds death and destruction to other challenges including drought and the forced return of millions of Afghans from neighbouring countries," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi posted on X. "Hopefully the donor community will not hesitate to support relief efforts."
The Taliban government, which has ruled Afghanistan since 2021, has issued urgent appeals for international assistance. "We need it because here lots of people lost their lives and houses," Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Afghan health ministry, told Reuters. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, also acknowledged the crucial role international organizations have played in past disasters, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid now more than ever.
Several neighboring countries have responded with offers of support. Iran, Pakistan, China, India, and the United Arab Emirates have all pledged or delivered aid, ranging from food and medical supplies to tents and search-and-rescue teams. The UK announced £1 million in new emergency funding, and the European Union contributed $1.16 million in humanitarian assistance, along with vital supplies. However, many traditional Western donors remain hesitant, wary of appearing to endorse the Taliban regime.
Despite these challenges, a host of humanitarian organizations have mobilized to provide relief. Afghan Relief, a California-based nonprofit, has teams on the ground delivering emergency water, food, medical aid, and shelter. The British Red Cross is supporting search-and-rescue operations and distributing essentials, while Doctors Without Borders is coordinating with Afghan authorities to assess and provide medical support. The World Food Programme is "rushing food to affected communities," including high-energy biscuits and mobile storage units, and is prepared to operate additional flights into Jalalabad.
Children have been especially hard hit. "Children and their families were fast asleep in their homes—homes that are not built to withstand this," said Samira Sayed Rahman of Save the Children Afghanistan. The organization is providing health care, clean water, temporary shelter materials, and hygiene kits in the worst-affected areas.
As winter approaches, the urgency of the humanitarian response grows. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees warned, "Survivors are sleeping in the open, exposed to the elements. Winter is fast approaching—and without urgent support, lives are at risk." The need for body bags, clothing, hygiene products, and cooking equipment is acute, according to Thamindri De Silva, National Director of World Vision Afghanistan, who told CNN that the compounding shocks of drought, displacement, and earthquakes have stretched relief efforts to the breaking point.
Afghanistan’s seismic vulnerability is well known; the Hindu Kush region is among the world’s most active earthquake zones. Major quakes in 2022 and 2023 killed more than 3,000 people in other provinces. But the current disaster is a stark reminder of the country’s fragile infrastructure and the dire consequences of global disengagement.
For now, as rescue teams continue their search for survivors and the world debates how best to respond, the people of eastern Afghanistan face an uncertain future—one shaped by tragedy, resilience, and the hope that help will arrive before it’s too late.
