2025 Afghanistan earthquake

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 
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. The center of the earthquake was in Kuz Kunar District, Nangarhar Province, near the border with Nurgal District in Kunar Province,  east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad and  west of the border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. It had a depth of  below the surface, and a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). At least 17 aftershocks were reportedly felt, including a magnitude 4.5 event at 21:33 UTC and two of magnitude 5.2 at 21:33 and 23:46 UTC.

 Impact 
In Afghanistan, at least 1,411 people were killed, 3,500 were injured and at least 8,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. 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. Most of the affected homes were made of mud and stone.

 Response 
Hours after the earthquake, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that local officials and volunteers helped with rescue and aid to affected areas. 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. The United Nations sent aid teams to the affected areas. Many victims were flown to Nangarhar Regional Hospital on at least 40 flights. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, offered humanitarian aid, including medical supplies from the country.

References

Category:2025 disasters in Asia
Category:2025 earthquakes
Category:2020s earthquakes in Asia
Category:September 2025 events
Category:2020s in Afghanistan
Category:Earthquakes in Afghanistan