Tue Sep 02 08:00:54 UTC 2025: ## News Article:

**Over 1,100 Dead as Earthquake Ravages Eastern Afghanistan, Rescue Efforts Continue**

**Jalalabad, Afghanistan** – A devastating magnitude 6.0 earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan, leaving more than 1,100 dead and thousands injured. Rescuers are battling against time to reach survivors trapped beneath the rubble in remote, mountainous villages near the Pakistani border.

The quake, which hit around midnight on Sunday and was followed by multiple aftershocks, has flattened homes constructed of mud and stone, common in the region. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the epicenter was located about 27 kilometers from Jalalabad at a shallow depth of 8 kilometers, increasing the severity of the damage.

“Operations continued throughout the night,” said Ehsanullah Ehsan, head of the Kunar Provincial Disaster Management Authority, emphasizing the urgency of evacuating the injured from isolated villages. Villagers have joined the desperate search, using their bare hands to sift through the debris.

Many of the hardest-hit areas remain inaccessible due to blocked roads, hampering rescue efforts. The UN migration agency is working to overcome these challenges.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society reports at least 3,251 people have been injured and over 8,000 houses destroyed. Laghman province has also reported dozens of injured.

International aid is beginning to arrive. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced an initial $5 million in aid and stated the organization is working closely with Afghan authorities to assess needs and provide emergency assistance. Pope Leo XIV also expressed his deep sorrow for the loss of life caused by the devastating earthquake.

Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range. This recent tragedy follows a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck Herat province in October 2023, killing over 2,000 people. A similar earthquake in Paktika in June 2022 also claimed over 1,000 lives. The country continues to struggle with the aftermath of the disaster, with the international community working to provide much-needed support.

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