A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 6.0 struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, leaving at least 1,124 people dead and more than 2,800 injured across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.

Officials warn the toll is expected to rise as rescuers struggle to reach remote areas devastated by one of the country’s deadliest earthquakes in recent years.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society confirmed the mounting casualties, reporting widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. The quake struck just before midnight, flattening villages and forcing thousands to flee into the open. Local authorities said the number of fatalities is likely to increase as many families remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs announced that rescue teams had been dispatched to provide “comprehensive and full support” to affected communities. The Ministry of Defence said 30 doctors and 800 kilograms (1,764 pounds) of medical supplies had been sent to Kunar province, while helicopters airlifted wounded residents to hospitals in both Kunar and Nangarhar.

At least 40 flights have evacuated more than 420 injured and deceased individuals from the hardest-hit zones. “We are working tirelessly to reach those in need, but the scale of destruction is immense,” a spokesperson for the Afghan Red Crescent Society said.

Rugged terrain and damaged infrastructure have made rescue efforts difficult, with several remote villages still inaccessible. Local officials fear that survivors trapped under rubble may not be reached in time.

The disaster has compounded the hardships of a nation already facing decades of war, poverty, and dwindling international aid. The quake comes as Afghanistan is absorbing the forced return of hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees from neighboring countries, further stretching limited resources.

International organizations have begun mobilizing relief. The United Nations, Médecins Sans Frontières, and other agencies pledged to provide emergency supplies, including food, blankets, and temporary shelters. Security concerns and logistical hurdles, however, are expected to delay aid deliveries to some of the hardest-hit areas.

Humanitarian groups have warned that the disaster could have long-lasting effects on Afghanistan’s fragile economy and healthcare system. With winter approaching, displaced families face heightened risks of disease and exposure in the absence of shelter and medical care.

The Afghan government has appealed for urgent international assistance to help manage the crisis and rebuild devastated communities.

As rescue operations continue, grief is widespread in Afghanistan, where mass funerals are being held in villages across the east. Survivors now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives amid one of the worst natural disasters to hit the country in recent memory. (ILKHA)