A powerful earthquake shook eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, leaving at least 622 people dead and over 1,500 injured, according to the latest figures from the Taliban-led Interior Ministry. The quake, which measured 6.3 in magnitude, caused widespread devastation, especially in the mountainous provinces near the Pakistan border.

The initial shock occurred at 11:47 PM local time, with the epicenter located roughly 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad, in Nangarhar province. The US Geological Survey and India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS) confirmed the depth of the earthquake as ranging between 8 and 160 kilometers, indicating a combination of shallow and intermediate quakes both known for their high destructive potential.

Entire Villages Flattened in Kunar Province

Kunar, one of the worst-affected provinces, saw entire villages flattened. Local officials confirmed that areas including Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare suffered massive damage. In one village alone, 20 fatalities and 35 injuries were reported, with dozens of bodies still being recovered from the rubble.

“Figures from just a few clinics show over 400 injured and dozens of fatalities,” said Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Afghan Health Ministry. “The number of casualties and injuries is high, but since the area is difficult to access, our teams are still on site,” he added.

Relief Operations Delayed by Terrain and Aftershocks

Heavy landslides triggered by the tremor have blocked narrow mountain routes, hampering ground rescue efforts. Helicopters remain the primary means of transporting the injured and delivering aid to cut-off villages. Reuters footage showed emergency teams carrying victims into ambulances, while soldiers and medics dug through debris in search of survivors.

Compounding the crisis were multiple aftershocks, recorded shortly after the initial quake. According to NCS, a 4.7-magnitude aftershock occurred at a depth of 140 km, followed by tremors measuring 4.3 and 5.0, the latter striking at a much shallower depth of 40 km.

These secondary quakes sent frightened residents into the streets in the middle of the night. “I have never seen such a strong earthquake in my life,” said Polad Noori, a 28-year-old from Nangarhar province. He counted at least 13 aftershocks by midnight.

Shocks Felt Across Pakistan and Northern India

The seismic waves extended well beyond Afghanistan’s borders. In Pakistan, tremors were felt in Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Swat, prompting residents to evacuate buildings. Parts of northern India, including the Delhi-NCR region, also reported strong shaking.

Data from the Indian National Centre for Seismology confirmed the main earthquake occurred at latitude 34.50°N and longitude 70.81°E, with several aftershocks following in the same vicinity throughout the early hours of Monday.

Uncertain Numbers and No International Aid Yet

Casualty figures remain fluid due to poor communication in remote regions. In Laghman and Nangarhar provinces, the health ministry reported at least 330 injuries — 80 in Laghman and 250 in Nangarhar though these numbers are expected to rise.

Despite the scale of the disaster, no foreign governments have yet pledged assistance. A representative from Afghanistan’s foreign office stated, “So far, no foreign governments have reached out to provide support for rescue or relief work.”

The Taliban administration acknowledged “loss of life and property damage” across several provinces and confirmed that support teams from Kabul and surrounding areas have been mobilised to help.

Another Deadly Quake in a Region Long at Risk

This latest disaster marks Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquake since 2023, when a similarly powerful tremor killed thousands. While Taliban officials at the time reported 4,000 deaths, the United Nations placed the toll closer to 1,500.

Afghanistan lies on a major fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, a region notorious for frequent and deadly seismic activity. The Red Cross and geological experts have long warned of the region’s vulnerability due to both tectonic instability and poorly constructed housing.

Unstable Ground, Uncertain Future

As rescue missions continue and more bodies are pulled from collapsed buildings, officials are bracing for a further increase in fatalities. With communications down, roads blocked, and aftershocks still rattling the region, the full extent of the tragedy may not be known for days.