Afghanistan Earthquake Report
6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan
An interactive summary of the seismic event on September 1, 2025, its impact on the region, and the humanitarian context.
Magnitude
6.3
on the Richter Scale
Confirmed Deaths
20+
Across Nangahar & Kunar
Confirmed Injuries
115+
Receiving medical attention
Event Overview
This section details the specifics of the earthquake, including its location and geological characteristics. The tremor occurred late Sunday night local time, causing significant shaking felt across the region.
Epicenter Location
Diagram showing approximate location 34km east of Kabul, near Jalalabad.
Quake Details
- Date: September 1, 2025
- Time (IST): 07:43 AM
- Magnitude: 6.3
- Felt In: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northern India
Epicenter Depth
Initial reports on depth vary, which significantly impacts surface-level damage. A shallower depth concentrates energy, leading to more intense shaking.
USGS: 146 km (Deep)
GFZ: ~10 km (Shallow)
Impact Analysis
This section provides a visual and textual breakdown of the human cost and structural damage. The earthquake has caused widespread destruction, particularly in the rural provinces of Nangahar and Kunar, overwhelming local response capabilities.
Casualties by Province
Widespread Damage
Numerous homes, particularly traditional mud-brick structures, have collapsed. The village of Satin in Darah-e-Noor district is reported to have suffered the most severe damage, with entire sections reduced to rubble.
Rescue Challenges
Rescue operations are severely hampered. Key challenges include:
- Landslides blocking access roads.
- Heavy rains in the region.
- Lack of specialized rescue equipment.
- Continued aftershocks creating unsafe conditions.
Geological Context
Afghanistan's location makes it highly susceptible to seismic activity. This section explains the underlying geological forces that cause frequent and powerful earthquakes in the region.
Tectonic Plate Collision
Indian Plate →
← Eurasian Plate
Simplified diagram of plate collision.
The region is a fragile geological zone where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates are continuously colliding. This immense pressure builds up over time and is released in the form of earthquakes. This same process formed the Himalayan mountain range.
A series of aftershocks, with one reaching 5.0 magnitude, have continued to shake the area, further unsettling the region and complicating rescue efforts.
Humanitarian Response
The earthquake strikes a nation already facing severe humanitarian challenges. This section details the aid situation, highlighting how pre-existing commitments are being redirected to address this new, urgent crisis.
EU 2025 Aid Commitment for Afghanistan
This chart shows the €161M in aid previously allocated by the European Commission for 2025 to address ongoing crises in the country.
Redirecting Aid to an Emergency
Afghanistan is grappling with multiple ongoing crises, including food insecurity and a strained healthcare system. Humanitarian organizations like UNICEF and the EU, which had already planned significant aid for 2025, are now shifting focus to provide immediate, life-saving relief to the earthquake victims.
Immediate priorities for aid agencies include:
- Emergency medical care for the injured.
- Providing temporary shelter for displaced families.
- Distributing food and clean water.
- Assessing the full extent of the damage in remote areas.
Local officials have made urgent appeals to the international community for further assistance as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer.
