Deadly Earthquake in Kunar; Many Victims Still Trapped Under Rubble

Kokcha News Agency: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale hit Kunar province and surrounding areas on Sunday night, causing widespread destruction and claiming over 800 lives, with more than 2,500 injured, according to Taliban officials. The earthquake, which occurred at 11:17 PM local time, had its epicenter 25 kilometers from Asadabad, the provincial capital of Kunar.

Rescue operations have been slow, and many victims remain trapped under the debris. Local residents have been working tirelessly to pull survivors from the rubble, but the lack of adequate medical facilities, particularly female doctors, has exacerbated the crisis. Women and children are among the injured, but cultural norms have delayed their access to medical care.

The Taliban have deployed helicopters and rescue teams to the affected areas, but the mountainous terrain and damaged roads have made access difficult. Videos and images from the scene show entire villages reduced to rubble, with survivors pleading for help to recover the bodies of their loved ones.

International organizations, including the United Nations, and neighboring countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey, have expressed condolences and offered assistance. The UN has already dispatched some relief teams to the region.

This earthquake is the latest in a series of seismic events that have struck Afghanistan in recent years. Since 2021, the country has experienced over 20 earthquakes, with at least five occurring in 2025 alone.