A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing at least 1,411 people and injuring more than 3,500, according to local officials. The tremor hit at 11:47 p.m. local time, devastating villages across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.

The epicenter was located near Kuz Kunar District in Nangarhar, close to the Pakistan border. With a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers, the quake caused widespread destruction. More than 5,400 homes were reported destroyed, and strong aftershocks continue to shake the region.

Rescue operations are underway, but blocked roads and mountainous terrain have made access difficult. Survivors are digging through rubble with bare hands, searching for loved ones. The Taliban administration has appealed for international assistance, citing urgent needs for medical aid, shelter, and food supplies.

Afghanistan sits on a major fault line between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly vulnerable to seismic activity. This is the third major earthquake to strike the country since 2021.