Two Strong Aftershocks Rattle Afghanistan After Deadly Quakes Claim Over 2,200 Lives

Kabul, Sept. 5, 2025 – Eastern Afghanistan was hit by two strong aftershocks within 12 hours, just days after powerful earthquakes left more than 2,200 people dead and thousands injured, according to the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ).

The latest jolt, a magnitude 5.4 quake, struck early Friday in the country’s southeast at a shallow depth of 10 km. It came only hours after another tremor late Thursday night, reigniting fear and panic among residents already shaken by a week of devastation.

A Nation in Crisis

The Taliban-led government reported 2,205 deaths and at least 3,640 injuries by Thursday. Entire villages have been flattened in the provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar, where homes built of stone, mud, and timber stood little chance against the repeated shocks.

Rescue efforts remain challenging. A Reuters correspondent on the ground said aftershocks continued to rock Nangarhar, while officials were still gathering details of new damage.

A Series of Deadly Quakes

• Aug. 31 – A magnitude 6 quake, one of the deadliest in Afghanistan’s recent history, struck just before midnight, toppling homes and cutting off remote communities.

• Sept. 2 – A 5.5 quake followed, sparking landslides and blocking roads critical for relief operations.

• Sept. 4–5 – Two more tremors, including Friday’s 5.4 quake, further traumatized survivors.

With homes destroyed, many families have chosen to sleep outdoors in fear of further collapses.

Survivors Left in Dire Need

Authorities and aid agencies report more than 6,700 homes destroyed, leaving thousands without shelter. Survivors are struggling to access food, medical care, and safe drinking water. The United Nations has warned of a critical need for emergency supplies and shelter, especially as roads to mountain villages remain blocked.

“The situation is heartbreaking,” said Naqibullah Rahimi, a spokesperson for the health department in Nangarhar. He added that the epicenter of Thursday’s quake was in Shiwa district, near the Pakistan border, and initial reports confirm additional damage.

Why Afghanistan is So Vulnerable

Afghanistan sits in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This makes the region one of the world’s most quake-prone zones. The combination of shallow quakes and fragile housing construction often leads to catastrophic loss of life.

Looking Ahead

As aftershocks continue, fears of more collapses and casualties loom large. Survivors in Kunar and Nangarhar are pleading for international aid to prevent an even deeper humanitarian disaster.

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