The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have revised the death toll from the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Kunar province on the night of Sunday, 31 August. More than 800 people have been confirmed dead and over 2,800 injured, according to a Taliban spokesperson.
Entire villages have been reduced to rubble by the devastating tremor.
Desperate rescue efforts in Kunar and neighbouring provinces
Early images from Nangarhar province, which borders Kunar, show desperate residents digging frantically with their bare hands in search of survivors.
Injured victims have been carried on stretchers from collapsed buildings and airlifted by helicopter to hospitals across the country. Kunar province lies close to Jalalabad, the Afghan capital, where medical facilities are available to treat the wounded.
International organisations provide emergency aid
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations confirmed that teams are on the ground delivering urgent, life-saving assistance following the earthquake.
“The United Nations in Afghanistan expresses its deep sorrow over the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern region, claiming hundreds of lives and injuring many more,” the UN said in a statement.
UNHCR warns of a ‘perfect storm’ of crises
Filippo Grandi, head of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), described Afghanistan as facing a “perfect storm” that will deepen the country’s suffering.
Speaking to Sky News, he said the situation is “tragic” and noted that while information remains limited, there are already reports of hundreds killed and many left homeless. He stressed that Afghanistan is already enduring multiple crises, including severe drought, while nearly two million Afghans have been forced back by Iran, with Pakistan threatening similar expulsions.
“It is extremely difficult to mobilise resources because of the Taliban,” Grandi said. “This earthquake, which was likely quite destructive, will only intensify the misery.” He appealed for “all those who can help to act immediately.”
Deadliest quake in 2023 still haunts Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s most deadly earthquake in recent history struck in 2023. On 7 October that year, a 6.3-magnitude quake hit Herat province, followed by dozens of powerful aftershocks. Taliban authorities reported at least 4,000 deaths, while the United Nations gave a lower but still devastating figure of around 1,500 fatalities.