Afghan quake death toll rises to 1,411

A devastating magnitude-6.0 earthquake that hit eastern Afghanistan has caused 1,411 deaths and 3,124 injuries in Kunar province alone, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Afghan interim government, said on Tuesday.

The quake mainly affected Asadabad city, the capital of Kunar province, along with the districts of Nurgal, Suki, Watapur, Chapa Dara, and Pech Dara, Mujahid posted on his social media account.

According to the official, 5,412 houses were destroyed in these areas. Rescue operations face significant challenges due to the region's rugged terrain. Still, response teams from relevant agencies have been deployed to speed up rescue efforts and provide aid to those trapped or in need, Mujahid added.

Juma Khan Nayeel, head of information and publication at the Afghan Red Crescent Society, confirmed on Tuesday morning that 8,000 houses were destroyed following the devastating earthquake that hit eastern Afghanistan's Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman, and Panjshir provinces.

The earthquake struck at 11:47 p.m. local time on August 31, with its epicenter located 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar, at a depth of eight kilometers.

(Cover: Damaged houses after earthquakes at Mazar Dara village in Nurgal district, Kunar province, Afghanistan, September 1, 2025. /VCG)