Earthquakes in Afghanistan killed at least 2,205, and over 3,600 were injured, according to the Taliban government on Thursday, as per media reports.
About 84,000 people have been affected and thousands displaced, while some villages in Kunar saw up to 98% of buildings destroyed or damaged, the reports added.
The Asian country has been struck by four earthquakes since Sunday, the latest on September 4 (Thursday). According to data from the Delhi-based National Centre for Seismology, the most recent quake occurred at 10:40 am IST at a depth of 135 km and measured 4.8 in magnitude.
The first earthquake of magnitude 6, one of Afghanistan’s deadliest in recent years, hit the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar around midnight on Sunday at a shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles).
A second quake of magnitude 5.5 on Tuesday evening caused panic and hampered the rescue and evacuation efforts.
A third shock occurred on Wednesday night after a shallow 4.3-magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan at a depth of 10 km.
How has the international community responded?
The United Nations expressed “full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan”.
In a post on X on Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “The @UN team in Afghanistan is mobilised and will spare no effort to assist those in need in the affected areas.”
I stand in full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan after the devastating earthquake that hit the country earlier today.
I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
The @UN team in Afghanistan is mobilized…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 1, 2025
India sent across 1,000 tents to Kabul and 15 tonnes of food to Kunar and will be dispatching more aid.
The United Kingdom stated it would send 1 million pounds ($1.35m), and Iran apprised that it was ready to dispatch medical and humanitarian aid.
What is hampering rescue operations ?
The rescue efforts and evacuation operations in the Asian country are being hampered due to the mountainous terrain.
Flash floods triggered by the earthquake severely hampered rescue operations by blocking roads, destroying bridges and isolating communities in the earthquake-affected area.
As per the media reports, above mentioned factors have made to difficult for the rescuers to reach the people in the isolated areas or trapped under debris.
He added that the delivery of critical aid such as food, water and medical supplies has also become harder.