Eastern Afghanistan was shaken by two strong aftershocks within 12 hours, the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reported on Friday. The tremors raised fears of further casualties and destruction in a region already devastated by recent quakes.
The Taliban administration confirmed at least 2,205 deaths and more than 3,600 injuries by Thursday. The earlier earthquakes had struck villages in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, leaving widespread destruction.
According to GFZ, Friday’s quake measured 5.4 in magnitude and hit at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Just hours earlier, a 5.5 quake late Thursday night shook the same area. A Reuters witness said continuous aftershocks rattled Nangarhar, though full details of the damage were still being collected.
The first major quake, recorded on Sunday night, reached magnitude 6 and was among Afghanistan’s deadliest in years. Its shallow depth made it particularly destructive. A second tremor on Tuesday caused panic, blocked roads, and disrupted rescue operations.
Many families, fearing more aftershocks, preferred to stay outdoors rather than return to their damaged homes. Houses in the affected provinces are mostly built of stone, timber, and dry masonry, making them vulnerable to collapse.
Naqibullah Rahimi, a spokesperson for Nangarhar’s health department, said the epicenter of Thursday’s quake was in Shiwa district near the Pakistan border. Initial reports suggested some new damage, though assessments are ongoing.
Authorities said more than 6,700 homes have been destroyed so far. Rescue workers continued to pull bodies from the rubble on Thursday. Survivors are facing shortages of food, medical supplies, and shelter.
The United Nations and aid groups have warned of urgent humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. Relief agencies are rushing to provide tents, medicines, and emergency food supplies to those affected.
Afghanistan sits in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. This region is highly prone to powerful and deadly earthquakes.
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