Picture courtesy of BBC | EPA

 

A devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake has wreaked havoc in eastern Afghanistan, resulting in the tragic loss of over 800 lives and leaving nearly 3,000 people injured, according to the United Nations humanitarian agency. Most fatalities occurred in Kunar province, and officials warn the toll could rise as entire villages lie in ruin.

 

The epicentre, a remote mountainous area, poses significant challenges for rescue efforts. "The scale of devastation is unimaginable," said a Taliban official. This catastrophe hits as Afghanistan grapples with severe drought, aid cuts, and what the World Food Programme describes as an unprecedented hunger crisis.

 

The quake struck at 23:47 local time on Sunday, about 27 km east of Jalalabad, in eastern Nangarhar province. Faridullah Fazli, jolted awake in Asadabad, described terrifying tremors and aftershocks. He aided in transporting the injured to hospitals, recounting the overwhelming fear among residents.

 

Mazar Dara, in the Nurgal region, faces near-total destruction, with reports of injuries in every household. Kunar's rugged terrain, marked by mud-track roads and vulnerable clay structures, exacerbates challenges. Recent flooding and landslides have further hindered access.

 

With blocked roads, air rescue operations began in the morning, as helicopters were unable to land overnight. Over 100 flights have since been conducted in clear weather. "Entire villages are flattened," reported a Taliban official, noting the urgency in reaching the injured rather than recovering the deceased.

 

Many victims remain trapped under rubble as rescue efforts continue. Raheem, a participant in these operations, expressed concerns about the possibility of discovering more people. The BBC reported that patients and distraught relatives are overwhelming Jalalabad's main hospital, a hub amid the Afghan-Pakistan deportation crisis.

 

Limited internet connectivity hampers communication and coordination. Since the Taliban regained control in August 2021, several aid organisations have suspended their operations due to halted foreign donations and imposed sanctions, although humanitarian relief is exempt from these restrictions. The Taliban government has issued an appeal for aid following the disaster.

 

Afghanistan sits on multiple fault lines and is no stranger to earthquakes. Previous quakes in 2023 and 2022 resulted in significant casualties. The recent earthquake was notably deadly due to its shallow depth of 8 km and widespread impact, which was felt as far as Kabul and neighbouring Pakistan.

 

Despite this tragedy, rescue teams are working tirelessly, battling time and terrain, to bring aid to those affected by this latest disaster.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-09-02

 

This is when I ask - what did the Afghans do to deserve the wrath of Allah?

With the rule of terror by Taliban, helping hands from the first world won't reach.

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