Kabul/New Delhi [Afghanistan/India], September 2 (ANI): The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday night has risen to 1,411, with more than 3,000 people injured, officials said, according to Al Jazeera. Rescue operations are underway as teams search for survivors in remote, mountainous areas of Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nuristan provinces, where access has been severely hampered by blocked roads and disrupted mobile networks.
The 6.3-magnitude quake, which struck early Monday morning, was followed by a series of aftershocks measuring between 4 and 5 in magnitude, further complicating rescue and relief efforts. Tremors were also felt in parts of Pakistan, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), at least 12,000 people have been directly affected by the disaster.
In response to the tragedy, India has stepped up with urgent humanitarian assistance. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced on Tuesday that 21 tonnes of relief material had been airlifted to Kabul. The consignment included blankets, tents, hygiene kits, water storage tanks, generators, kitchen utensils, portable water purifiers, sleeping bags, essential medicines, wheelchairs, sanitizers, water purification tablets, ORS solutions, and other medical consumables.
Jaishankar confirmed that India had already delivered 1,000 family tents in Kabul and moved 15 tonnes of food supplies from Kabul to Kunar. He added, “India will continue to monitor the ground situation and send more humanitarian aid over the coming days,” reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan in its time of crisis.
Earlier, Jaishankar spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to convey condolences over the tragic loss of life. “Spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi today. Expressed our condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake. Conveyed that India has delivered 1,000 family tents today in Kabul. 15 tonnes of food material is also being immediately moved by Indian Mission from Kabul to Kunar. Further relief material will be sent from India starting tomorrow. Wish early recovery of those injured. India stands by Afghanistan at this difficult time,” he posted on X.
The Ministry of External Affairs also shared images of trucks loaded with sacks of rice and other supplies, underscoring India’s solidarity with the Afghan people during this humanitarian emergency.
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