Eastern Afghanistan was rattled by a magnitude-5.6 earthquake on Thursday, compounding the devastation caused by a series of deadly tremors earlier this week. The latest quake, centered 14 kilometers east of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, struck at 4:56 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
With its epicenter at a depth of 10 kilometers, the tremor follows Sunday’s catastrophic magnitude-6 earthquake that killed over 2,200 people and injured more than 3,600 across Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid collapsed homes and infrastructure, while authorities and aid organizations struggle to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
The GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences reported a higher magnitude of 6.2 for Thursday’s quake, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Thousands remain displaced, with survivors facing shortages of shelter, food, and medical supplies as temperatures drop.
Afghanistan’s rugged terrain and limited infrastructure have hampered relief efforts, raising concerns about long-term recovery. The United Nations and international aid groups are mobilizing support, but access to remote villages remains a critical challenge.
As aftershocks persist, experts warn of further risks, including landslides in mountainous areas. The disaster highlights the urgent need for disaster preparedness in one of Asia’s most seismically active regions.
