Rescue teams are scouring remote villages in eastern Afghanistan after a powerful earthquake claimed at least 800 lives and left more than 1,800 people injured.
The magnitude 6.0 quake struck near the border with Pakistan on Sunday, flattening homes and leaving many people trapped beneath the rubble. With mountain roads blocked by landslides and debris, helicopters have been deployed to reach survivors in cut-off areas.
The devastation has overwhelmed hospitals already struggling with limited supplies. In Jalalabad, families have been carrying loved ones into overcrowded wards, hoping for urgent care.
One father described digging through the ruins of his home alone, using a lamp and basic tools to find the bodies of his children. “There was no one to help because everyone was affected,” he said. “Whole families have died. Some are still buried.”
Among the survivors is two-and-a-half-year-old Maiwand, who suffered serious head injuries and blood loss. His uncle pleaded for medical help: “You can see his situation. It’s so tragic. I just want the doctors to cure him.”
The disaster comes at a time when Afghanistan is already facing drought, hunger, and dwindling international aid. Relief efforts are slowly arriving, with emergency funds and supplies being pledged by neighboring countries and humanitarian organizations. But officials warn that survivors will need shelter, food, and blankets in the days ahead as they face both loss and uncertainty.
For many communities, the earthquake is a reminder of the country’s vulnerability. Afghanistan sits on several major fault lines, and past quakes have already brought immense tragedy. Now, as families grieve and rescuers dig through rubble, the hope is to find more survivors before time runs out.