2025 Afghanistan earthquake
.jpg) USGS ShakeMap | |
   Kabul Islamabad | |
| UTC time | 2025-08-31 19:17:34 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 643933543 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 31 August 2025 |
| Local time | 23:47:34 AFT (UTC+4:30) |
| Magnitude | Mw 6.0 |
| Depth | 8 km (5.0 mi) |
| Epicenter | 34°31′08″N 70°44′02″E / 34.519°N 70.734°E |
| Type | Thrust |
| Areas affected | Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan and Panjshir Provinces, Afghanistan |
| Max. intensity | IX (Violent) |
| Aftershocks | 17+ felt 6+ ≥Mw 4.0[1] Two mb 5.2 events on 31 August (strongest) |
| Casualties | 1,411+ deaths, 3,500+ injuries |
On 31 August 2025, at 23:47 AFT (19:17 UTC), a strong earthquake took place in Nangarhar and Kunar Provinces in Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan. The center of the earthquake was in Kuz Kunar District, Nangarhar Province, near the border with Nurgal District in Kunar Province. The maximum Modified Mercalli intensity was IX (Violent), and a magnitude of 6.0 was given. More than 1,411 people were killed and 3,500 others were injured.
Earthquake
[change | change source]The earthquake was caused by a thrust faulting on a shallow fault. The fault either runs northeast–southwest and tilts toward the northwest, or runs west-northwest–south-southeast and tilts toward the south–southeast.[2] The center of the earthquake was in Kuz Kunar District, Nangarhar Province, near the border with Nurgal District in Kunar Province, 27 km (17 mi) east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad and 25 km (16 mi) west of the border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. It had a depth of 8 km (5.0 mi) below the surface, and a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent).[3] At least 17 aftershocks were reportedly felt,[4] including a magnitude 4.5 event at 21:33 UTC[5] and two of magnitude 5.2 at 21:33 and 23:46 UTC.[6][7]
Impact
[change | change source]In Afghanistan, at least 1,411 people were killed,[8] 3,500 were injured[9] and at least 8,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.[10] The USGS estimated between 1,000 and 10,000 deaths were possible, with more than 1.1 million people felt very strong to violent shaking.[9] Most of the affected homes were made of mud and stone.[11]
Response
[change | change source]Hours after the earthquake, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that local officials and volunteers helped with rescue and aid to affected areas.[12] Because they had few resources, the Taliban asked for help from international aid organisations. Many volunteers in Nangarhar Province went hospitals to donate blood to injured victims. Four helicopters carrying medical staff came to Nurgal District.[4] The United Nations sent aid teams to the affected areas.[13] Many victims were flown to Nangarhar Regional Hospital[14] on at least 40 flights.[15] Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, offered humanitarian aid, including medical supplies from the country.[16]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "USGS earthquake catalog". United States Geological Survey.
- ↑ "SOUTHEASTERN AFGHANISTAN 2025/08/31 19:17:34 UTC, Mw=6.0". GEOSCOPE Observatory. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ National Earthquake Information Center (31 August 2025). "M 6.0 - 27 km ENE of Jalālābād, Afghanistan". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- 1 2 "Dozens feared dead in fatal Afghanistan earthquake". BBC News. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ National Earthquake Information Center (31 August 2025). "M 4.5 - 10 km N of Bāsawul, Afghanistan". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ National Earthquake Information Center (31 August 2025). "M 5.2 - 39 km NE of Jalālābād, Afghanistan". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ National Earthquake Information Center (31 August 2025). "M 5.2 - 28 km NE of Jalālābād, Afghanistan". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "Scramble for survivors as Afghan earthquake death toll passes 1,400". Channel News Asia. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- 1 2 "Death toll from Afghanistan earthquake rises to 1,100". BNO News. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ "Death toll climbs to over 1,100 after Afghanistan earthquake, officials say". ABC News. Associated Press. 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ "Deadly earthquake rocks Afghanistan, hundreds feared dead and wounded". Ariana News. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "طالبان: زلزله ځپلو سیمو ته د ژغورنې ټیمونه په لاره دي". Tawazon (in Pashto). 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "UN says aid teams arrive in quake-hit areas of eastern Afghanistan". Amu TV. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "Kunar Earthquake: Around 250 Dead and 500 Injured". Tolo TV. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "Earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills hundreds, destroys villages". France 24. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "Afghanistan earthquake live: More than 600 people killed, 1,500 injured". Al Jazeera. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.