6.1‑Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Afghanistan’s Eastern Highlands
In the early hours of Wednesday (June 22), a 6.1‑magnitude quake rattled the eastern part of Afghanistan, wiping out at least 280 lives and leaving hundreds wounded. The terrifying tremor, which jolted houses into rubble, unfolded just 44 km from Khost—right near the Pakistani frontier.
What the Experts Say
- US Geological Survey (USGS) lists the quake at 5.9‑magnitude.
- European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reports a stronger 6.1‑magnitude, noting “long, powerful jolts.”
- Social‑media eyewitnesses from Kabul and Peshawar confirmed it was “strong” enough to tumble roofs and scare neighbors.
Dead‑By‑Zone Breakdown
- Paktika Province – 255 dead, >200 injured.
- Khost Province – 25 dead, 90 hospitalized.
In the sprawling, mountainous valleys, authorities are in a scramble to locate survivors. The interior ministry’s Salahuddin Ayubi warned that the death toll could climb; remote villages are hard to reach, so details trickle in slowly.
Immediate Relief Efforts
Helicopters are crisscrossing the sky, ferrying medical supplies and food to struck areas. Rescue teams are on the ground, crunching through shattered concrete for survivors.
Regional Shockwaves
According to the EMSC’s Twitter chatter, the tremor rattled roughly 119 million souls across Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India. No casualties were reported in Pakistan, yet the population felt the shudder.
Why This Matters
Afghanistan has been battling a crushing economic crisis since the Taliban took the reins in August. With U.S.-led forces pulling out, international sanctions have sliced off banking and $ billions in aid. Yet humanitarian workers, backed by the United Nations and other agencies, keep stepping in to fill the void.
An Afghan foreign‑ministry spokesman stated: “We welcome help from any international organization.” The nation’s seismic… well, you could say its heart‑beats are still quite geologically active.
Background Note
- The Indian plate’s push against the Eurasian plate ensures large parts of South Asia are seismically active.
- In 2015, a far‑off quake in Afghanistan’s northeast killed several hundred people across nearby northern Pakistan.
Stay tuned as more details emerge—because in this region, nature’s drama is anything but predictable.
