A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on August 31, claiming at least 800 lives and injuring more than 2,000, according to state broadcaster Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA). The quake, which hit at 11:47 p.m. local time, had its epicentre 27 km deep, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Rescue operations are ongoing in remote and mountainous areas, where damaged infrastructure and poor communication are hindering relief efforts. Officials caution that the toll may increase as assessments continue.
Afghanistan, located along seismic fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, is highly prone to earthquakes. Rugged terrain and frequent landslides further complicate rescue work.
Last year, a deadly series of quakes in western Afghanistan killed over 1,000 people, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters. In 1998, a quake in the north killed around 4,000 and left tens of thousands homeless. According to the UN, over 7,000 Afghans have died in earthquakes in the past decade, averaging 560 fatalities each year.
