A devastating Earthquake in Afghanistan has claimed 800 lives, injured over 2,500 people, and left many villages completely in ruins
Afghanistan Earthquake: A 6.0-magnitude earthquake that slammed eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province on September 1, 2025, left 800 people dead and over 2500 injured. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reports that the earthquake’s epicenter was located 27 kilometers east of Jalalabad. It was barely ten kilometers deep. The earthquake totally devastated several settlements.
The death toll from the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has grown to nearly 800, according to a spokesperson for the Taliban administration. The isolated province of Kunar has seen the biggest destruction. Numerous communities were totally destroyed. At the location, rescue and relief efforts are in progress.
It was also classified as a 6.0 magnitude earthquake by the US Geological Survey (USGS), which on the Richter scale denotes a moderate yet shallow earthquake. On Sunday evening, around 11:47 p.m. local time, an earthquake occurred close to the Pakistani border. Twelve further aftershocks struck the region after the large earthquake. The majority had a Richter scale magnitude of 3.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed his sorrow
Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025
According to Ajmal Darwaish, spokesperson for the Nangarhar Health Department, Jalalabad and the adjacent regions accounted for the majority of the fatalities and injuries. A second 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck 20 minutes later. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake later occurred. Because of tectonic plates, earthquakes are frequent in the Hindu Kush area, which includes Afghanistan. Although the Taliban administration has begun rescue efforts, it is challenging to reach remote regions. It brings to mind the 2023 earthquake of magnitude 6.3, which killed between 1500 and 4000 people.
“Deeply concerned by the devastating earthquake in Kunar province of Afghanistan,” wrote External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. We show the Afghan people our sympathy and support. India will aid throughout this challenging period. We send our sympathies to the victims’ families. Prayers for the wounded people’s quick recovery. Intensity and epicenter
The devastating earthquake in Kunar Province of Afghanistan is a matter of deep concern. Express our support and solidarity to the Afghan people as they respond to it.
India will extend assistance in this hour of need. Our condolences to the families of the victims. And our…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 1, 2025
The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Nangarhar province, 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad, according to GFZ and USGS. On the Richter scale, the intensity was 6.0, which is considered moderate. However, since it was just 10 kilometers deep, it had a greater effect on the surface. Because the vibrations are felt immediately on the ground, shallow earthquakes do greater damage.
People were asleep at 11:47 p.m. local time on a Sunday night. Twenty minutes later, a second 4.5-magnitude earthquake occurred. The magnitude of the third was 5.2. Afghanistan is located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian, Arabian, and Eurasian plates collide, causing earthquakes. Although there are more than 100 earthquakes here each year, only a few are stronger than 6.0.
Deaths, wounds, and destruction
Hundreds of people have perished, according to Ajmal Darwaish, spokesperson for the Nangarhar provincial health department. House collapses accounted for the majority of the fatalities. According to early accounts, mud dwellings in Jalalabad and the nearby villages fell.
Hospitals in the area accepted the wounded. Mild vibrations were also detected in Kunar province. Although there was no damage, tremors were felt there as well because of its proximity to the Pakistani border. The challenging physical position of Afghanistan makes rescue efforts challenging.
The UN and other organizations provided assistance, but the Taliban administration deployed relief personnel. This is smaller than the 1500–4000 fatalities from the 2023 earthquake, but the shallow depth could result in greater damage.
Seismic history: What causes frequent tremors
Afghanistan is located in the plate tectonics-active Hindu Kush area. At a rate of 39 mm per year, the Indian and Eurasian plates meet here. Ten earthquakes of a magnitude greater than 6.0 have struck within a 300-kilometer radius in the last ten years. The worst was the 7.5-magnitude earthquake in 2015. In 2023, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake claimed 1,500 lives. Fault lines run across Pakistan’s eastern regions, including Nangarhar and Kunar. The likelihood of landslides has risen due to climate change.