Afghanistan Earthquake: 812+ Dead as 6.0 Quake Devastates the East

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan, killing 812 people and injuring 2800 more. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says that the epicenter was 27 km east-northeast of Jalālābād at 34.519°N, 70.734°E, and 8.0 km deep. The event was occurred on midnight of August 31, 2025. Local news reports said that strong shaking caused landslides and brought down homes in remote, steep locations.

The Pajhwok Afghan News agency reports that the number of deaths has counted up to 812 and the number of injured has more than 2,800. Officials further said that a special committee has been formed to prepare the response and that 100 million afghanis have been set aside for immediate relief, the outlet reports. A government spokesman in Kabul, Zabihullah Mujahid, informed reporters that some 800 people died and 2,500 were hurt in the Nurgal (Mazar Dara), Chawkay, Watapur, Manogi, Chapa Dara, and nearby areas of Kunar province. These figures will probably change when access gets better.

What’s next: Search personnel and medical evacuations are moving into cutoff valleys, but progress is difficult because of tremors and damaged roads. Authorities said recovery will take longer because the weather is getting cooler. What’s next: Search crews and medical evacuations are pushing into cutoff valleys as aftershocks and damaged roads slow progress. With cooler weather approaching, authorities warn recovery will be prolonged.