Afghanistan Earthquake Horror: 800 Dead, PM Modi Extends Support & India’s Relief Aid Steps In

Afghanistan earthquake kills over 800 people, leaving massive destruction. PM Modi extends condolences and offers India’s help in relief and rescue operations

The Taliban regime of Afghanistan has said that the toll from Monday’s 6.3-magnitude earthquake has risen to around 800 dead and 2,500 injured.

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) of India said that the earthquake struck at around midnight local time and had its epicentre around 27 kilometres from the city of Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan. More than 1.2 million live in the area affected by the earthquake.

Regarding the toll, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP that around 800 people were killed and 2,500 injured in remote Kunar province alone in the mountainous area near the epicentre and another 12 people were killed and 255 were injured in neighbouring Nangarhar province.

Separately, as the earthquake struck a remote mountainous region, “it will take time to get the exact information about human losses and damage to the infrastructure”, said Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Afghan Public Health Ministry.

“We have launched a massive rescue operation and mobilized hundreds of people to help people in the affected areas,” Zaman added.

Separately, Afghan interior ministry said that around 1,000 injured people have been evacuated to hospitals.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in Afghanistan and extended help.

India has frequently offered help in disasters in the neighbourhood. Most recently, India helped authorities in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck in March. It had also sent relief personnel and supplies to Turkey after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and neighbouring Syria.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected,” said Modi on X.

The Monday’s 6.3-mangnitude earthquake is the latest to hit Afghanistan.

The main quake was followed by many aftershocks, measuring 4.7, 4.3, and two shocks of 5.0 on the Richter scale, according to AFP.

In recent years, many devastating earthquakes have hit the country that have killed and injured scores of people.

This time, however, the situation is worsened by the fact that the Nangarhar province has also been hit by flooding that killed five people last week and destroyed crops and properties.

In October 2023, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck western Herat province and killed over 1,500 people and damaged or destroyed more than 63,000 homes.

In June 2022, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Paktika province and killed more than 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless.

A devastating earthquake in Afghanistan has claimed the lives of more than 800 people, leaving behind a trail of destruction, panic, and grief. Entire villages have been flattened, homes reduced to rubble, and thousands forced to spend the night under the open sky. With aftershocks continuing to rattle the region, rescue teams are racing against time to save those still trapped beneath debris.

The earthquake, which struck with a powerful magnitude in the western region of Afghanistan, has caused catastrophic damage across multiple provinces. According to local officials, at least 800 lives have been lost, while hundreds more remain injured or missing. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and critical shortages of medical supplies have intensified the crisis.

Reports highlight that many of the victims are women and children, as the quake hit during the evening when families were gathered inside their homes. Villages near the epicenter have reported the highest casualties, with mud-brick houses collapsing instantly under the tremors.

Afghanistan, already grappling with political instability and economic hardships, has little infrastructure to cope with disasters of such magnitude. The country is prone to earthquakes due to its location in a seismically active region, but the lack of proper housing standards and emergency preparedness makes the impact far deadlier.

The government has appealed for urgent international assistance, stating that immediate needs include food, shelter, blankets, and medical aid for survivors. Humanitarian agencies are mobilizing support, but access to remote villages remains a major challenge due to damaged roads and communication breakdowns.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences to the people of Afghanistan. In a statement, he said, “We stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this hour of grief. India is ready to extend all possible assistance for relief and rescue operations.”

India has a long history of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including assistance during previous earthquakes and natural disasters. With Modi’s assurance, officials expect swift deployment of medical teams, essential supplies, and technical expertise to aid the affected regions.

International organizations, including the United Nations, Red Crescent, and World Health Organization (WHO), have also pledged immediate relief. Neighboring countries are monitoring the situation closely, as tremors were felt across the borders. Human rights groups have called for a collective global response, stressing that Afghanistan’s vulnerable population cannot be left to face this catastrophe alone.

The rising death toll paints a grim picture of the disaster’s magnitude. Funeral prayers are being held in villages across the quake-hit areas, with entire families wiped out in some cases. Survivors are left in despair, facing not only the loss of loved ones but also the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives from scratch.

As Afghanistan mourns its dead, the world watches with urgency, compassion, and responsibility. With PM Modi’s assurance of support, and the growing international response, there is hope that timely humanitarian aid will provide some relief to the survivors.

Afghanistan Earthquake Horror: 800 Dead, PM Modi Extends Support & India’s Relief Aid Steps In