Kabul, September 1, 2025 – A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck southeastern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, killing at least nine people and injuring 15 others, according to officials.

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the tremor occurred at 00:47:41 IST, with its epicentre recorded at latitude 34.50N and longitude 70.81E, at a depth of 160 kilometres. The quake was felt across several provinces, including Nangarhar, which bore the brunt of the damage.

Naqibullah Rahimi, spokesperson for the Nangarhar Public Health Department, confirmed the casualties while speaking to Reuters. He said hospitals in the province received multiple patients with injuries caused by collapsing structures and falling debris. Rescue efforts were launched in affected areas, though officials noted challenges in reaching remote districts.

Earthquakes are frequent in Afghanistan due to its location near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. In June 2022, a devastating 6.1-magnitude quake killed more than 1,000 people in Paktika province, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to seismic disasters.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious as aftershocks are possible. Relief agencies are monitoring the situation closely to provide assistance to the displaced and injured.

The latest tremor adds to the humanitarian challenges already facing Afghanistan, where communities continue to grapple with poverty, conflict, and limited access to medical resources.