Afghan authorities reported a devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Monday, resulting in notable casualties and widespread damage. The earthquake, measuring six degrees on the Richter scale, impacted the states of (konar) and (Nangarhar).

According to a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, Mufti of Abdul Metin Qani, the quake has led to 622 fatalities and 1555 injuries. The spokesman told the Afghan news agency (Bajuk) that the majority of casualties occurred in the state of (Konar), where 610 people were killed and 1,300 injured. In (Nangarhar), 12 deaths and 255 injuries were reported.

The spokesman, Mufti of Abdul Metin Qani, cautioned that the death toll could increase as rescue efforts continue in remote areas. There are fears that hundreds of people may be trapped, with reports of entire villages in the province of (Nurgal) being buried.

Local populations and rescue authorities have initiated rescue operations in the affected regions. Zabih Allah, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has instructed local officials to utilize all available resources to aid the victims.

The American Geological Survey reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was at a depth of 8 kilometers. The initial quake,measuring 6 degrees,was followed by aftershocks of 5.2 and 4.7 degrees.

Search and Rescue Efforts Underway

Emergency responders are facing immense challenges as they navigate the rugged terrain and damaged infrastructure to reach those in need. The international community has offered assistance, and aid organizations are mobilizing to provide essential supplies and medical support.

“The number of victims may rise,as contacts are still ongoing with the residents in remote areas.”

Geological Context and Earthquake Preparedness

Earthquakes are a frequent occurence in Afghanistan due to it’s location along the Alpide belt, a seismically active region caused by the collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates [1], [2]. The country has experienced numerous devastating earthquakes throughout its history, highlighting the urgent need for improved building codes and disaster preparedness measures.