Kathmandu: The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Nurgal district in Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province on Sunday has climbed to 2,205, according to Taliban authorities.

Thousands Killed and Injured

Initial estimates put the death toll at 1,400, but Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat confirmed on Thursday that fatalities had risen to more than 2,200. At least 3,500 people have been injured, making this one of Afghanistan’s deadliest natural disasters in recent history.

The magnitude 6.0 quake destroyed over 5,004 houses, leaving thousands homeless. Survivors described harrowing scenes of devastation, with entire families buried under rubble.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Rescue operations remain difficult due to blocked mountain roads. Helicopters and ambulances from Nangarhar military airport, located 60 kilometers from the epicenter, have been used to transport the injured.

“We are currently dealing with the situation in Kunar, but there are also reports of deaths and injuries in neighboring provinces,” said Mullah Mohammad Yunus Akhundzada, Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development. The quake’s effects were also felt in Nuristan, Panjshir, Laghman, and Nangarhar provinces.

The Afghan Red Cross Society said road clearance work was underway to speed up relief delivery.

Survivors Speak Out

Villagers recounted their losses with grief. “Today, I lost my mother, my aunt, and her daughter. Some of us were injured, and we survived only by the grace of God,” said one survivor. Another described the earthquake as “the most terrifying experience” of their life.

Humanitarian Challenges

International aid to Afghanistan has declined since the Taliban takeover, but officials confirmed that some humanitarian agencies have pledged assistance.

Afghanistan has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years, including the Herat quake of 2023 that killed more than 1,400 people, and the Paktika quake of 2022 that claimed over 1,000 lives.

Experts warn that Afghanistan, situated along active fault lines, remains one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions.