Over 600 Dead as Powerful Earthquake Devastates Afghanistan

A massive rescue operation is underway in Afghanistan after a powerful earthquake and a series of aftershocks struck the country late Sunday night, killing more than 600 people and leaving hundreds more injured, according to the Interior Ministry.

The quake, which hit just before midnight, sent tremors across a wide area, shaking buildings in Kabul and as far away as Islamabad, the capital of neighbouring Pakistan. Entire villages were flattened, with mud-brick homes collapsing under the force of the quake, trapping families beneath the rubble.

Rescue teams, including emergency workers and volunteers, have been working through the night to search for survivors. Authorities warn that the death toll could rise as efforts continue in remote and mountainous areas where access remains difficult.

Afghanistan lies in a seismically active region and is frequently hit by earthquakes, particularly around the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates meet. Past quakes in the region have caused widespread destruction, exacerbated by fragile infrastructure and poor housing conditions.

International aid groups have expressed concern over the humanitarian impact of the disaster, coming at a time when Afghanistan is already grappling with economic hardship and ongoing humanitarian crises.