A 6.0 magnitude earthquake has struck several districts in Afghanistan on the night of Sunday 31st August 2025, killing over 1,400 people and leaving more than 3,100 injured. Donate to the Afghanistan earthquake appeal today, to help those affected.
Entire villages have been wiped out and the death toll continues to rise as rescue teams reach more areas.
What is happening in Afghanistan?
The 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kunar province in Afghanistan around midnight local time, when most families were asleep. Children describe being woken in terror as homes collapsed around them, and families fled in panic to try and find safety.
Tremors were felt across Nur Gal, Sawki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapa Dara districts in this mountainous province. Further 4.5 tremors happened in Basawul in the adjacent province of Nangarhar.
On 2 September 2025, a second tremor measuring between 5.2 and 5.5 struck Mazar Canyon, Nurgal district in Kunar province, adding pressure on rescue operations and deepening the humanitarian emergency.
Fatalities and injuries are feared to be much higher as the affected districts are in remote and in mountainous regions. Roads have been blocked by landslides and rescuers have to reach some of the worst-hit villages by foot or evacuate casualties by helicopter.
