Fri Sep 05 04:05:01 UTC 2025: ## Afghanistan Reels from Aftershocks Amid Earthquake Devastation
**KABUL – September 5, 2025** – Eastern Afghanistan is bracing for further devastation as two powerful aftershocks struck within 12 hours, compounding the suffering already inflicted by a series of earthquakes that have killed over 2,200 people in the past four days. The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reported the latest earthquake, a magnitude 5.4, struck the southeast at a depth of 10 km earlier today. This follows a late-night aftershock on Thursday, adding to the panic and disruption that has gripped the war-torn nation.
The initial earthquake, a magnitude 6, struck just before midnight on Sunday, August 31st, unleashing widespread destruction across Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. A second quake of magnitude 5.5 on Tuesday further hampered rescue efforts, triggering landslides and cutting off access to remote villages.
“Continuous aftershocks” were reported in Nangarhar province, according to a Reuters witness, with damage assessments still underway. Naqibullah Rahimi, spokesperson for the Nangarhar health department, indicated that the epicenter of Thursday’s quake was near the Pakistan border, with initial reports suggesting further damage.
The earthquakes have flattened villages, destroying over 6,700 homes. Rescue workers have been struggling to retrieve bodies from the rubble, and survivors are facing dire conditions. The United Nations and other aid agencies are warning of critical shortages of food, medical supplies, and shelter. Many families, fearing further aftershocks, are choosing to sleep outdoors.
The Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, is a seismically active region, making it prone to earthquakes. The ongoing crisis underscores the vulnerability of the Afghan population, already struggling with war, poverty, and reduced aid.
First Piper 