A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in Afghanistan, hit eastern Afghanistan (especially the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar) on the night of Sunday, August 31, 2025, at an approximate time of 23:47 local time (UTC +4:30):
What Happened
- A very strong magnitude 6.0 quake occurred near Jalalabad with a shallow depth (~8–10 km), which reinforced its destructive power.
- The epicenter struck some mountainous, isolated districts, the worst hit being Chawkay, Nurgal, Shigal and Manogai (in Kunar), though Nangarhar, Laghman and Nuristan were also badly hit.
Casualties & Damage
- Deaths: 622 (Reuters), 800+ (AP, Washington Post), 812 is mentioned in some reports.
- Casualties: There are widely differing estimates–more than 1,500 to more than 2,800 casualties.
- Entire villages–particularly of mud-brick in Kunar–were destroyed. Landslides, disrupted communications and aftershocks have grossly impeded rescue efforts.
Relief Efforts
- The injured and the dead are being evacuated using military and medical helicopters; some reports mention approximately 40 flights.
- The strained response teams of Afghanistan are sending aid in terms of food, medical services, shelter, etc.
- Pakistan has already said it is willing to help, and certain regional neighbors-such as Iran and India-have already provided or are planning to provide humanitarian aid.
Historical Context & Outlook
*This is the deadliest quake in Afghanistan since June 2022 (a 6.1 quake that killed more than 1,000), and slightly less serious than the fatal 2023 Herat quake, which killed thousands.
*As a country with many poorly built, mud-brick structures in the remote regions, Afghanistan is very susceptible to such disasters.
* Death and injury numbers are not final because rescuers continue to reach unreachable areas and count more precise numbers.
brief with (1) district-by-district status, (2) who is helping to date, and (3) how this is different than recent Afghan quakes. The following is in context to date: It is September 1, 2025 in India time.
District-by-district (best available early picture)
The highest official counts go by province, though several outlets singled out the most afflicted Kunar districts below; Nangarhar also has substantial destruction and casualties.
- Kunar Province (heaviest hit): Nurgal (Nur Gul), Suki (Soki), Watapur (Watpur), Manogai/Manogi, Chapa Dara (Chapadare) – villages reported levelled; access blocked by landslides and broken telecoms.
- Estimated death toll to date (nationwide): 622 to 800+ killed; 1,500-2800 wounded; Kunar has been the worst affected with some smaller (but increasing) figures in Nangarhar.
- Nangarhar Province (incl. Jalalabad): reported injuries and building collapses; air evacuations continue.
- Laghman & Nuristan: struck in initial situational reports, but at this moment no credible division of casualties by district.
International & domestic response
- Afghan officials: Health ministry and provincial units are organizing airlifts; between 40 and 60 helicopter sorties are mentioned in one Reuters report; wide call to international aid.
- UN / humanitarian agencies: UN staff and the Afghan Red Crescent had been deployed on emergency medical and shelter support and assessments; UN funding was a limiting factor.
- India: Why statements indicate India is prepared to offer help (premature diplomatic reaction).
Pakistan: Said it was sympathetic and willing to help; tremors were felt intensely across the border.
Others: There is some reporting of assistance or signs of assistance developing (e.g. mobilization of UN system; one dispatch citing willingness of China), but there are few formal, detailed commitments as yet.
What this is compared to recent Afghan quakes.
- Some examples are as follows: M6.0, shallow (~810 km) epicenter near Jalalabad; 622800+ dead 15002800 injured (early/labile). Very high charge connected with superficial depth + mud-brick habitation.
- Herat sequence (Oct 2023): ~M6.3 + aftershocks; death toll between 1,300 and 4,000 (depending on source), tens of thousands of houses destroyed or damaged. The number of deaths is lower in the current event.
- Paktika/Khost (Jun 2022): M5.96.0–6.1; that is, 1,000 or more dead, 1,500 or more injured; deadliest since 2023 Herat under Taliban rule. The current toll is almost as high as it was in 2022 (so far).
- Hindu Kush (Oct 2015): M7.5 deep quake; ~380–400 deaths region-wide (mostly Pakistan). The quake today is much more shallow and, thus, it has more localized destruction, even though of lower magnitude.
Summary
On August 31, 2025, an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck the eastern part of Afghanistan causing unimaginable destruction in Kunar, as well as in the surrounding provinces. The number of dead is estimated between 622 and more than 800, and the number of injured is estimated between 1,500 and 2,800. Whole villages were leveled and rescue operations are underway but hampered by land and infrastructure destruction. International assistance is beginning to come into form, but emergency assistance is also essential.
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