At least 800 people have died and hundreds more were injured following a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan.
Officials said reports of damage were still coming in from the worst-hit mountainous region close to the Pakistan border, and there were fears the death toll could climb higher.
The powerful quake hit the Jalalabad area around midnight local time, but its impacts were felt as far as Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, which is more than 300km (186 miles) away.
The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10km (6.2 miles), the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said. Aftershocks were being felt on Monday morning in several districts.
Most of the damage is reported to be in Kunar province as helicopters rushed injured people to hospitals.
The Taliban has urged international aid agencies to provide assistance.
The country is often struck by earthquakes as it lies in a seismically active zone in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which sits near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
Key Points
- Afghanistan earthquake death toll rises to 800
- Mapped: Where did the earthquake strike?
- Afghanistan earthquake: Here's what we know so far
- Hundreds feared dead after magnitude 6 quake in Afghanistan
- Taliban calls for aid after devastating quake
Injury toll rises to at least 2,800 people
13:13 , Steffie BanatvalaAt least 2,800 people have been injured, and 800 more people died in the earthquake which was one of Afghanistan’s worst.
Helicopters ferried the wounded to hospital after they were pulled from the rubble of homes being combed for survivors.
Mobile health teams deployed to help children, Unicef says
13:10 , Stuti MishraUnicef says it has deployed mobile health teams which are supporting health facilities in providing urgent care for children and families.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and damage after the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan.@UNICEFAfg has deployed mobile health teams to the impacted areas & is supporting health facilities providing urgent care for children & families. pic.twitter.com/UbecKROk6Y
— UNICEF Afghanistan (@UNICEFAfg) September 1, 2025
How you can donate to Afghanistan
12:50 , Stuti MishraAid organisations are responding to the crisis in Aghanistan as hospitals get overwhelmed with injured and many homes are completely destroyed.
“The location of this earthquake is very remote and mountainous, which makes rescue efforts particularly challenging," Jeremy Smith, British Red Cross country manager for Afghanistan said. "There have been repeated aftershocks and more are feared in the coming days. Floods and landslides over the weekend have also affected rescue efforts."
"Sadly, people will be displaced for a long period into the winter as homes have been destroyed."
“The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is delivering vital aid and will continue to do so for as long as people need us.”
The public can donate to the British Red Cross here: Afghanistan Crisis Appeal.
China and India send condolences
12:30 , Stuti MishraThe foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing says China “mourns for the lives lost in the earthquake in Afghanistan and our hearts go out to the bereaved families and the injured. We believe that under the leadership of the Afghan government, the Afghan people will recover and rebuild from the disaster. China will provide help in light of Afghanistan’s needs.”
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said he is “deeply saddened by the loss of lives” and wishes a “speedy recovery” to those wounded. “India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected,” he said in a post on X.
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
Hospitals overwhelmed as thousands injured
12:10 , Stuti MishraJalalabad's main hospital was already busy before the earthquake, being right at the centre of the crossing point for the tens of thousand Afghans being deported from bordering Pakistan.
With thousands more people now injured and needing medical aid after the quake, hospitals in the city are stretched far beyond capacity.
Quake victims' relatives have had to leave the hospital to buy medication for their patients themselves, the BBC reported.
Iran offers humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
11:50 , Stuti MishraIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has offered humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, to Afghanistan.
“In these difficult moments and great tragedy, while expressing sincere condolences and solidarity with the great people of Afghanistan and the bereaved families, the Islamic Republic of Iran announces its full readiness to send relief, medical and humanitarian aid,” Mr Araghchi said in comments carried by Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
‘I was half-buried and unable to get out’
11:30 , Stuti MishraSadiqullah, who lives in the Maza Dara area of Nurgal, says he was woken up by a deep boom that sounded like a big storm approaching.
He said he ran to where his children were sleeping and rescued three of them. He was about to return to grab the rest of his family when the roof fell on top of him.
“I was half-buried and unable to get out,” he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press from Nangarhar Regional Hospital.
“My wife and two sons are dead and my father is injured and in hospital with me. We were trapped for three to four hours until people from other areas arrived and pulled me out.”
It felt like the whole mountain was shaking, he said.
Photos: Afghans gather to donate blood at hospitals
11:10 , Stuti Mishra
Afghanistan earthquake: Here's what we know so far
10:45 , Stuti Mishra- A powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan around midnight, with the epicentre near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, 117-119 kilometres from Kabul
- Initial official reports confirm at least 622 fatalities, and hundreds are injured due to collapsed roofs and falling debris
- The impact of the quake was felt in major Afghan cities, across the border in Pakistan and as far as northern India, including Delhi
- Rescue operations are underway as local authorities warn that casualty figures could rise as remote villages report in
- Eastern Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and poor infrastructure complicate search and aid efforts
- Several aftershocks have been recorded, ranging up to magnitude-4.5
- Hospitals in Jalalabad and Kunar are receiving the wounded as the Taliban government issues urgent appeals for medical supplies and aid
- The quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 8–14 km, magnifying its impact in the densely populated region
- Afghanistan sits on active fault lines, which makes it prone to devastating quakes. Over a thousand people died in an earthquake in 2023
What happened the last time an earthquake struck Afghanistan?
10:15 , Stuti MishraAfghanistan suffered a devastating magnitude-6.3 earthquake in October 2023, which flattened villages and left thousands displaced.
The Taliban government estimated the death toll to be over 4,000; however, the UN confirmed at least 1,500 fatalities.
The epicentre in Zindajan district was hit hardest, with nearly 100 per cent of homes destroyed and over 1,294 deaths there alone.
Due to sanctions and international isolation, rescue workers said at the time, that there was little to no aid available for the people and thousands remained trapped for days without help.
Children trapped under rubble as entire village collapses
09:45 , Stuti MishraOne resident in Nurgal district, one of the worst-affected areas in Kunar, said almost the entire village had collapsed.
"Children are under the rubble. The elderly are under the rubble. Young people are under the rubble," the villager, who did not give his name, told The Associated Press.
"We need help here," he pleaded.
"We need people to come here and join us. Let us pull out the people who are buried. There is no one who can come and remove dead bodies from under the rubble."
UN says its teams are working on ground to provide relief
09:15 , Stuti MishraThe UN in Afghanistan said it's "deeply saddened" by the devastating earthquake.
It added it's teams are on the ground, delivering emergency assistance and lifesaving support.
The UN in Afghanistan is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern region & claimed hundreds of lives, injuring many more. Our teams are on the ground, delivering emergency assistance & lifesaving support. Our thoughts are with the affected communities pic.twitter.com/rCE6b3WzSU
— UN Afghanistan (@unafghanistan) September 1, 2025
India expresses 'support and solidarity' to Afghans
08:45 , Stuti MishraIndia's external affairs minister S Jaishankar said the country will "extend assistance in this hour of need" to Afghanistan, expressing "solidarity to Afghan people".
The Taliban has requested aid from countries after quake killed over 600 people.
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.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 1, 2025
India will extend assistance in this hour of need. Our condolences to the families of the victims. And our…
Resident describes the moment earthquake hit
08:20 , Stuti MishraResidents Ahmad Zameer, 41, a resident in Kabul, told CNN the earthquake was strong and jolted his neighbourhood more than 100 miles from the epicentre.
He added that everyone from the nearby apartment buildings rushed to the street in fear of being trapped inside.
Earthquake struck near a bustling city
08:00 , Stuti MishraThe earthquake struck overnight near Jalalabad, which is a bustling trade city due to its proximity to neighbouring Pakistan and a key border crossing between the countries.
Although it has a population of about 300,000 according to the municipality, its metropolitan area is thought to be far larger. Most of its buildings are low-rise constructions, mostly of concrete and brick, and its outlying areas include homes built of mud bricks and wood. Many are of poor construction.
Jalalabad also has considerable agriculture and farming, including citrus fruit and rice, with the Kabul River flowing through the city.
Mapped: Where did the earthquake strike?
07:30 , Stuti MishraThe devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck close to the eastern border of Afghanistan overnight.
The quake was centred 17 miles east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, the US Geological Survey said.
The impact was felt on a series of towns in the province of Kunar, as well as Pakistan's capital Islamabad and as far as Delhi.
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At least 800 killed in magnitude 6.0 earthquake, officials say
07:11 , Stuti MishraThe death toll has climbed to 800, the Taliban-run interior ministry has confirmed.
Over a thousand people are injured.
Photos: Injured being taken to hospital
06:40 , Stuti Mishra
Death toll climbs to 250, officials confirm
06:19 , Stuti MishraAt least 250 people have died due to the magnitude-6 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan overnight, officials have confirmed.
The Kunar Disaster Management Authority said in a statement that at least 250 people were killed and 500 others injured in the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapadare.
The injured were being airlifted to hospitals as the quake struck a mountainous region difficult to access by roads amid the monsoon rains. There were fears the toll could climb further as more remote villages report damages, in an area where the majority of houses are made of stone and mud.
Taliban calls for aid after devastating quake
06:15 , Stuti MishraThe Taliban government in Afghanistan has called for aid from international organisations as hundreds are feared dead and several villages impacted after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck near its eastern borders.
Rescuers were working in several districts of the mountainous province where most of the homes are made of mud and stones.
Officials said the death toll could climb higher as more and more injured are rushed to the hospital and remote areas report casualties.
Aid agencies like Red Cross were distributing relief materials this morning.
This earthquake is a compounded tragedy for Afghanistan, which is already wrestling with one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, the organisation said.
"The short term needs are water, shelter, food," Alexander Matheou, IFRC regional director for Asia Pacific said.
Aid agencies rush for relief
05:55 , Stuti Mishra#Kunar:
— Afghan Red Crescent | افغاني سره میاشت (@ARCSAfghanistan) September 1, 2025
A powerful #earthquake struck late last night in various areas of Nurgal district, Kunar province, causing both human casualties and significant financial losses to local communities.
In the immediate aftermath, officials from the #ARCS, along with medical teams, rushed… pic.twitter.com/dolNY2N6dp
Afghanistan earthquake: Here's what we know so far
05:40 , Stuti Mishra- A powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan around midnight, with the epicentre near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, 117-119 kilometres from Kabul
- Initial official reports confirm at least 30 fatalities, and hundreds are injured due to collapsed roofs and falling debris
- The impact of the quake was felt in major Afghan cities, across the border in Pakistan and as far as northern India, including Delhi
- Rescue operations are underway as local authorities warn that casualty figures could rise as remote villages report in
- Eastern Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and poor infrastructure complicate search and aid efforts
- Several aftershocks have been recorded, ranging up to magnitude-4.5
- Hospitals in Jalalabad and Kunar are receiving the wounded as the Taliban government issues urgent appeals for medical supplies and aid
- The quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 8–14 km, magnifying its impact in the densely populated region
- Afghanistan sits on active fault lines, which makes it prone to devastating quakes. Over a thousand people died in an earthquake in 2023
'Number of casualties is high'
05:23 , Stuti MishraDeath toll is feared to climb higher as early reports of damage emerge from Afghanistan.
Health ministry earlier said there were 30 dead in a single village, but added that accurate casualty figures had yet to be gathered in an area of scattered hamlets with a long history of earthquakes and flooding.
"The number of casualties and injuries is high, but since the area is difficult to access, our teams are still on site," health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman said in a statement.
Hundreds of injured were taken to hospital, said Najibullah Hanif, the provincial information head, with figures likely to rise as reports arrived from remote areas with few roads.
Mapped: Location where the quake struck Afghanistan
04:48 , Stuti MishraThe earthquake struck near Jalalabad city, Nangarhar province, just 117-119 kilometres from Kabul and close to the eastern border with Pakistan.
The German earthquake monitor GFZ shows several red circles in the area indicating aftershocks.
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Fears death toll could rise
04:41 , Stuti MishraAt least 20 people have been confirmed dead so far, according to officials, BBC reported.
Earlier, Naqibullah Rahimi, a spokesman for the Nangarhar Public Health Department, said 15 people were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.
However, officials from the Taliban government told BBC they feared "hundreds" are believed to have been killed or injured.
While official death toll is not known yet, the quake hit a rural region prone to earthquakes. in 2023, when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the are followed by strong aftershocks, the Taliban government estimated that at least 4,000 people died. The UN gave a far lower death toll of about 1,500. It was the deadliest natural disaster to strike Afghanistan in recent memory.
Aftershocks continue in Afghanistan
04:29 , Stuti MishraSeveral districts were feeling the aftershocks today after a magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck Afghanistan around midnight.
The USGS reported that the earthquake struck at 11.47pm local time (7.17pm GMT).
A magnitude-4.5 quake occurred 20 mins later.
The quake occurred at a shallow depth of shallow depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), which can often increase the intensity, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Hundreds feared dead after magnitude 6 quake in Afghanistan
04:10 , Stuti MishraHundreds are feared dead following a magnitude 6 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, in a mountainous area close to the border with Pakistan, local officials said on Monday.
The powerful quake hit the Jalalabad area around midnight local time, but its impacts were felt as far as Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, which is more than 300km (186 miles) away.
The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said. Aftershocks were being felt on Monday morning in several districts.
At least 20 people are confirmed dead so far, according to officials, BBC reports. But many more are feared injured as the quake struck a remote rural area.
