Catastrophic earthquake in Afghanistan leaves over 800 dead, thousands injured - Catastrophic earthquake in Afghanistan leaves over 800 deceased and thousands wounded
In the early hours of August 31 to September 1, 2025, a powerful earthquake struck Afghanistan, causing widespread destruction and loss of life across several provinces. The epicentre of the earthquake was located 27 kilometres from Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar, and was felt as far away as Kabul and the Pakistani capital Islamabad.
The province of Kunar was the worst affected, with at least 800 fatalities and 2500 injuries reported. Many houses in the affected areas were destroyed, as many houses in Afghanistan are poorly constructed and vulnerable to damage from earthquakes. The neighbouring province of Nangarhar also suffered significant losses, with at least 12 lives claimed and 255 more injured.
The Taliban authorities and the United Nations (UN) launched immediate rescue operations in the affected regions. The German Red Cross (DRK) and other humanitarian groups, such as Caritas International, provided aid to the affected populations. The DRK supported relief efforts in Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman, while Caritas International made €80,000 available for emergency aid. The UN refugee aid organizations also delivered over 1,000 tons of relief supplies, including tents, water containers, blankets, and solar lamps.
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has been catastrophic since the takeover of power by the radical Islamic Taliban in August 2021. Many of the affected villages in the border region with Pakistan are home to people who had recently returned from Pakistan. The earthquake occurred at a depth of only eight kilometres, which often causes significant damage.
This disaster is not the first time Afghanistan has been shaken by earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region. In June 2022, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake in the impoverished eastern province of Paktika resulted in over a thousand fatalities. In October 2023, over 1500 people lost their lives in a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in the western province of Herat.
The German government has expressed its sympathy to the Afghan population, and many volunteers are participating in rescue efforts in Kunar. The UN expects the death toll to rise further, as many affected areas remain difficult to access. The international community continues to rally support for the people of Afghanistan in their time of need.
