A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, resulting in at least 800 fatalities and injuring more than 2,500 people, according to the Taliban government. The 6.0 magnitude quake occurred at 11:47 p.m. local time, centered 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad in Kunar province. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake was only 8 kilometers (5 miles) deep, which typically leads to more severe damage.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as desperate residents sift through rubble in search of missing loved ones. Footage from the region shows rescuers transporting injured individuals on stretchers from collapsed buildings to helicopters. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's chief spokesman, confirmed that most casualties were reported in Kunar province, where entire villages have been devastated.

One villager from Nurgal district described the destruction, stating, "Children are under the rubble. The elderly are under the rubble. Young people are under the rubble. We need help here. We need people to come here and join us. Let us pull out the people who are buried. There is no one who can come and remove dead bodies from under the rubble."

The earthquake has complicated communication and rescue operations in the mountainous and remote areas of eastern Afghanistan. Blocked roads have forced aid workers to walk several hours to reach survivors. Medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kabul have been deployed to assist in the recovery efforts.

Sadiqullah, a survivor from the Maza Dara area, recounted the terrifying moment the quake struck. He was awakened by a loud boom and rushed to save his children. "I was half-buried and unable to get out. My wife and two sons are dead, and my father is injured and in hospital with me," he said. He was trapped for several hours before rescuers arrived.

Mujahid indicated that the death toll could rise as more areas report their casualty figures. He stated, "There are some villages where the injured and dead haven’t been recovered from the rubble, so that’s why the numbers may increase."

The earthquake adds to the humanitarian challenges already facing Afghanistan, which has been grappling with a significant decline in aid and the forced return of millions of Afghans from neighboring countries. Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasized the need for international support, stating, "This adds death and destruction to other challenges including drought and the forced return of millions of Afghans from neighboring countries."

The recent quake follows a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck Afghanistan on October 7, 2023, which resulted in an estimated 4,000 deaths, according to the Taliban government. The United Nations reported a lower toll of about 1,500. The latest earthquake is expected to exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has called for immediate assistance, including search and rescue support, emergency healthcare, food, clean water, and restoration of road access to isolated communities.

The tremors from the earthquake were also felt in parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad, but no casualties or damage were reported there. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences, stating, "Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We are ready to extend all possible support in this regard."

As rescue operations continue, the full extent of the damage and the number of casualties may take time to assess, with many areas still cut off from aid.