A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan today, resulting in at least 250 deaths and 500 injuries, according to reports from the Taliban-led Afghan Ministry of Information. The quake, which hit during the early morning hours, has left many trapped under rubble as rescue operations are underway.
The earthquake"s epicenter was located near the city of Khost, a region prone to seismic activity. Local emergency services and international aid organizations are mobilizing to assist in the rescue efforts, but ongoing aftershocks have complicated operations. Eyewitness accounts describe widespread destruction, with homes and infrastructure heavily damaged.
This disaster follows a series of natural calamities in the region, raising concerns about the capacity of local authorities to respond effectively. The Taliban, who took control of Afghanistan in 2021, have faced criticism over their disaster response capabilities in previous emergencies. As previously reported, a deadly earthquake earlier this year resulted in hundreds of casualties, highlighting the vulnerabilities of the Afghan population to such disasters.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly, but the death toll is expected to rise as they reach remote areas. The international community is being urged to provide immediate assistance to support recovery efforts in the region, which is already struggling with humanitarian crises. For more on similar situations, see our earlier coverage of earthquakes in Afghanistan.
