Devastating 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan, Causing Heavy Casualties

September 1, 2025 – Update on Earthquake in Afghanistan

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck the eastern provinces of Afghanistan today, resulting in the deaths of 812 individuals and injuring over 1,500, according to local authorities and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 30 kilometers from Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, near the border with Pakistan.

The Taliban, which governs the region, confirmed the earthquake and reported significant damage in the mountainous and hard-to-reach areas of Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. Due to the remoteness of the affected regions, the full extent of the damage and the total number of casualties may become clearer in the coming days.

At least five aftershocks, ranging from magnitudes 4.5 to 5.2, have been recorded following the initial quake. USGS experts caution that aftershocks could persist for several days and, in some instances, may even exceed the strength of the initial earthquake, posing further risks to the population and complicating rescue operations.

Rescue teams and local authorities are actively working to provide assistance to victims and assess the damage caused by this devastating event.