On Sept. 4, 2025, Afghan authorities reported that a powerful magnitude-6.0 earthquake that struck the country on Sunday has killed more than 2,200 people and injured nearly 4,000, with the worst loss concentrated in mountainous Kunar province near the Pakistan border as rescue teams race to reach isolated villages.
Key Takeaways
- Death toll exceeds 2,200; nearly 4,000 people injured, according to Taliban authorities.
- Kunar province suffered the heaviest losses; many remote villages were cut off by landslides and rockfalls.
- Sunday’s main quake (M6.0) was followed by a M5.2 aftershock on Tuesday and an initial M5.6 tremor late Thursday, per the USGS.
- More than 1.3 million people are estimated to be affected; hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged.
- Humanitarian agencies warn that access problems, funding cuts and existing displacement have worsened needs.
Verified Facts
Afghan interim authorities said most fatalities and injuries were recorded in Kunar province, which borders Pakistan and includes steep, remote terrain. Rescue teams face blocked roads and multiple landslides that have delayed ground access to many hamlets.
The US Geological Survey logged Sunday’s main event at magnitude 6.0, followed by a magnitude-5.2 tremor on Tuesday and a separate magnitude-5.6 event late Thursday in the same eastern region near Jalalabad. Repeated aftershocks have destabilized slopes and increased the risk to search teams.
International and local health authorities report large-scale medical and shelter needs. The World Health Organization warned that the window to find survivors under collapsed houses is closing, while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies described humanitarian needs as “vast and growing rapidly.” Aid groups estimate more than 1.3 million people have been affected and that hundreds of houses were destroyed or damaged.
| Event | Approx. Date | Magnitude | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main quake | Sunday (prior to Sept. 4) | 6.0 | Eastern Afghanistan (Kunar region) |
| Aftershock | Tuesday | 5.2 | Same region |
| Late tremor | Late Thursday | 5.6 (initial) | Near Jalalabad / Pakistan border |
Context & Impact
Afghanistan entered the disaster already in the grip of a prolonged humanitarian crisis. Years of conflict, drought and food insecurity, combined with the return of large numbers of displaced people from neighboring countries, have left many communities vulnerable.
Foreign aid flows to Afghanistan fell sharply after the Taliban took power in 2021, limiting government capacity to respond to large-scale emergencies. Humanitarian organizations say the earthquake struck areas where health, shelter and logistics resources were already strained.
Blocked roads and damaged infrastructure mean international assistance must rely on airlift and difficult overland convoys; funding gaps and donor limits may slow the arrival of heavy equipment and large-scale medical support.
Official Statements
“Tents have been set up, and delivery of first aid and emergency supplies is ongoing,” said a Taliban government deputy spokesman, noting efforts to reach affected communities despite access challenges.
Taliban deputy government spokesperson
Unconfirmed
- Some early casualty and damage counts reported by local sources varied; official tallies are still being updated and may change as teams reach isolated villages.
- Reports of the exact number of people trapped in specific villages remain provisional until search-and-rescue teams complete assessments.
Bottom Line
The earthquake has produced a major humanitarian emergency in eastern Afghanistan, with thousands of casualties, widespread damage and urgent needs for medical care, shelter and logistics support. Access constraints and limited funding risk slowing the scale-up of lifesaving assistance in the coming days.