Over 800 Lives Lost as Earthquake Devastates Eastern Afghanistan

A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on March 10, 2024, leading to the tragic loss of over 800 lives and injuring more than 2,500 others. The 6.0 magnitude quake, which occurred at 11:47 p.m., primarily affected villages in Kunar province, near the city of Jalalabad. The disaster has caused widespread destruction, with entire communities reduced to rubble.

Images from the affected areas depict harrowing scenes of villagers desperately digging through debris with their bare hands, searching for missing family members in the darkness. Eyewitness accounts reveal the extent of the devastation. One resident from Nurgal district, one of the hardest-hit areas, described the overwhelming destruction, stating, “Children are under the rubble. The elderly are under the rubble. Young people are under the rubble.”

Rescue Efforts Underway Amidst Ongoing Challenges

The earthquake’s shallow depth of just eight kilometers contributed to the extensive damage. Following the tremor, several aftershocks further complicated rescue operations and hindered communications in the mountainous regions of eastern Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake’s epicenter was located approximately 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad.

Health Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman confirmed that medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and the Afghan capital, Kabul, have been deployed to assist with rescue efforts. He noted that many remote areas remain cut off, and casualty figures may continue to rise as new reports come in. “The numbers were expected to change,” Zaman stated, highlighting the ongoing nature of the crisis.

The Taliban government’s chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, assured the public that “all available resources will be utilized to save lives.” The government faces a significant challenge, as Afghanistan is already grappling with a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by reduced international aid and the return of many citizens from neighboring countries.

Historical Context and Previous Earthquakes

This latest earthquake comes on the heels of another devastating quake that struck Afghanistan on October 7, 2023. That event, which registered a magnitude of 6.3, resulted in an estimated 4,000 fatalities according to Taliban estimates, although the United Nations reported a significantly lower toll of around 1,500. The region is particularly susceptible to seismic activity, with the Hindu Kush mountain range being a primary site where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge.

As rescue operations continue, the humanitarian needs of the affected population will likely grow. Many buildings in Afghanistan are constructed with inadequate materials, leading to high vulnerability during seismic events. Villagers have expressed urgent calls for assistance, urging that help is needed to recover those trapped beneath the debris.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing rescue efforts and assessments of damage expected to unfold in the coming days. The global community watches closely, as this disaster adds to the multitude of challenges facing Afghanistan, a nation already in the throes of severe humanitarian issues.