Afghanistan Earthquake Death Toll Passes 1,400, Official Says

Over 3,000 people were injured after the 6.0 magnitude quake struck late Sunday night, Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban government spokesman, said.

JALALABAD, Afghanistan (AP) — The death toll from a major earthquake in eastern Afghanistan passed 1,400 on Tuesday, with more than 3,000 people injured, Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban government spokesman, said on social platform X.

Rescuers are scrambling in a “race against time” to reach the mountainous and remote area devastated by Sunday’s powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake, a U.N. official said, warning of an exponential rise in the number of casualties.

The quake struck in several provinces, causing extensive damage. It flattened villages and trapped people under the rubble of homes that were constructed mostly of mud bricks and wood and were unable to withstand the shock. Rough terrain is hampering rescue and relief efforts.

“We cannot afford to forget the people of Afghanistan who are facing multiple crises, multiple shocks, and the resilience of the communities has been saturated,” said Indrika Ratwatte, the U.N.’s resident coordinator for Afghanistan.

He urged the international community to step forward. “These are life and death decisions while we race against time to reach people.”