Taliban Confirms Casualties and Damage from Last Night’s Earthquake in Eastern Afghanistan

Kokcha News Agency: Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that last night’s 6.0 magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has resulted in casualties and property damage, though the exact number of fatalities has not yet been disclosed.

The quake, which occurred around midnight, was centered near Jalalabad at a depth of 27 kilometers and also shook parts of Islamabad. Local authorities and residents are working to rescue survivors, while relief teams from central Afghanistan and nearby provinces have been sent to assist.

The earthquake was felt across several regions of Afghanistan and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. The Seismological Center warned that aftershocks are still ongoing in the area.

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border, causing widespread destruction and significant casualties. According to the Directorate of Natural Disaster Management, at least 250 people have been killed, and over 500 are injured. The districts of Nurgal, Sawki, Watapur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara have reported the highest number of casualties.

Rescue operations are underway, but landslides have blocked critical roads, including those leading to Deogal in Sawki district and Mazar-e-Dara in Nurgal district, delaying relief efforts. Eyewitnesses report that many injured and trapped victims are still awaiting medical assistance, with basic facilities in remote villages completely disrupted. Authorities warn that the death toll could rise as more information becomes available from hard-to-reach areas.

Relief teams and local administration are making every effort to provide immediate aid to the affected regions.