Rescue operations underway as officials warn casualties could rise further

September 1, 2025: A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 800 people and leaving over 1,300 injured, according to emergency officials. The quake, which rattled parts of central and eastern Afghanistan, flattened homes, triggered landslides, and left thousands scrambling for safety.

Entire Villages Devastated

Local reports reveal that rural villages near the quake’s epicenter were among the hardest hit. Many homes, made from mud-brick and not built to withstand strong tremors, collapsed instantly, trapping families inside. Rescue workers and residents have been digging through debris with bare hands in a desperate attempt to save survivors.

“We fear the number of casualties will rise as many remain buried under the rubble,” one official said. “Rescue operations are ongoing, but damaged roads and landslides are slowing efforts.”

Image Credit: Xinhua/Shutterstock

Hospitals Struggling to Cope

Hospitals across the affected regions have been overwhelmed with the injured. Makeshift medical camps have been set up to treat those who cannot be admitted due to lack of space. Doctors have appealed for urgent medical supplies, blood donations, and additional staff to cope with the crisis.

Eyewitnesses described heartbreaking scenes of families searching for missing loved ones. “We lost everything—our home, our animals, our land. Now we don’t even know where our children are,” a survivor shared.

International Aid and Government Response

The Afghan government has declared a state of emergency and is coordinating with humanitarian agencies for immediate relief. Rescue teams, military units, and volunteers have been deployed to assist with recovery.

The United Nations and several neighboring countries have pledged support, promising to send rescue experts, food, tents, and medical aid. Relief organizations are warning of a potential humanitarian crisis, with thousands left homeless and in urgent need of shelter.

A Country Already in Crisis

This tragedy comes as Afghanistan continues to face severe economic challenges and instability, making disaster response even more difficult. Aid groups fear that without swift international assistance, the aftermath of the earthquake could worsen, leaving survivors vulnerable to hunger, disease, and harsh living conditions.