Third devastating earthquake strikes Afghanistan as death toll surpasses 2,200

Friday 05 September 2025 - 07:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Third devastating earthquake strikes Afghanistan as death toll surpasses 2,200

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit southeastern Afghanistan on Thursday, marking the third major quake to strike the region this week. The disaster amplifies the ongoing humanitarian crisis in a country already grappling with inadequate relief operations in its remote mountainous areas.

Death toll climbs as destruction spreads

Taliban government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat confirmed on Thursday that the death toll from Sunday’s initial 6.0 magnitude earthquake has reached 2,205, with 3,640 injured. The worst-hit area is Kunar Province, where entire villages in steep river valleys have been reduced to rubble, surrounded by towering mountains.

The earthquake on Thursday follows a 5.2 magnitude aftershock on Tuesday, further complicating rescue efforts in a region where harsh terrain and damaged infrastructure hinder relief operations. The German Research Centre for Geosciences reported that the latest quake occurred at a shallow depth of just eight kilometers, near the city of Jalalabad close to the Pakistan border, which magnified its destructive impact.

Rescue operations face extreme challenges

Four days after the initial tremor, search and rescue missions continue under difficult conditions. Taliban forces have deployed helicopters and army commandos to reach isolated communities, while rescue teams often trek for hours across hazardous mountain paths due to landslides and rockfalls triggered by aftershocks.

Efforts to provide aid are further hampered by damaged roads, lack of equipment, and insufficient funding. Many survivors remain trapped under the debris, with time running out to save them.

International aid struggles to meet urgent needs

Humanitarian organizations face financial shortfalls as they respond to the crisis. The Norwegian Refugee Council revealed that its staff in Afghanistan has been reduced to fewer than 450 workers, with only $100,000 available for emergency aid, far short of the $1.9 million required.

Ireland has pledged €500,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, while other international organizations are mobilizing emergency assistance. The United Nations estimates that over 500,000 people have been affected by the disaster.

Worsening humanitarian crisis

The earthquakes have destroyed over 6,780 homes, leaving thousands homeless. In Kunar Province alone, 65% of buildings have collapsed, and 98% of structures have been damaged. The disaster compounds existing challenges, including food shortages, drought, and the return of 2.5 million Afghan refugees from neighboring countries since early 2025.

“The earthquake is not an isolated calamity. It has struck communities already battling displacement, food shortages, and the return of countless Afghan refugees,” said Caro Car, the Norwegian Refugee Council's country director.

The World Health Organization has warned that hospitals are overwhelmed by critically injured patients requiring urgent surgical care. Meanwhile, the international community faces mounting pressure to support Afghanistan’s strained resources and relief mechanisms, already weakened since the Taliban regained power in 2021.