KABUL, Afghanistan — A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border late Sunday, resulting in significant casualties and damage. The quake occurred at 11:47 p.m. and was centered approximately 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was recorded at a shallow depth of 8 kilometers (5 miles), which typically leads to more severe damage.

Initial reports indicate that at least 250 people have died, with injuries affecting at least 500 others. Officials expect these numbers to rise as search and rescue teams reach remote areas impacted by the quake. The Kunar Disaster Management Authority reported that the hardest-hit districts include Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare.

Sharafat Zaman, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, stated, "Rescue operations are still underway there, and several villages have been completely destroyed. The figures for martyrs and injured are changing." Medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kabul have been deployed to assist in the recovery efforts.

The earthquake also caused damage in Jalalabad, a key trade city with a population of around 300,000. The city is known for its low-rise concrete and brick buildings, as well as homes made of mud bricks and wood, many of which are poorly constructed. The region is also significant for its agriculture, producing citrus fruits and rice, with the Kabul River flowing through the city.

This earthquake follows a series of seismic events in Afghanistan, including a 6.3 magnitude quake on October 7, 2023, which resulted in a high death toll. The Taliban government estimated that at least 4,000 people died in that disaster, while the United Nations reported around 1,500 fatalities.

Afghanistan is situated near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes. A series of aftershocks followed the main quake, including a 5.2 magnitude tremor early Monday morning.

The country has faced numerous natural disasters in recent years, compounding the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by decades of conflict and reduced foreign aid since the Taliban's return to power. In June 2022, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake killed over 1,000 people and injured more than 1,500 in eastern Afghanistan.