The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan has climbed to 1,411, with at least 3,124 people injured, according to official figures released by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on Tuesday.

The 6.0-magnitude quake, which struck two days ago, left widespread destruction in its wake. Kunar Province, the epicenter, suffered the heaviest losses, with 5,412 homes completely destroyed and thousands of families displaced. Neighboring provinces, including Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Panjshir, also reported casualties and significant structural damage, compounding the humanitarian crisis.

Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing, with both local residents and emergency teams racing against time to pull survivors from the rubble. Officials fear the death toll could rise further as many people remain trapped under collapsed buildings in remote mountain villages that are difficult to access.

Senior leaders of the Islamic Emirate have traveled to the affected areas to oversee relief operations. Government departments have been mobilized to accelerate search-and-rescue missions, treatment of the wounded, burial arrangements for the deceased, and aid distribution for families who have lost everything.

“The scale of devastation is immense. Our people are working day and night, but the needs are far greater than our resources,” said Mawlavi Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, who called on international partners to provide urgent assistance.

Hospitals across eastern Afghanistan and even in Kabul have been placed on high alert, with medical teams treating thousands of wounded victims. Field hospitals have also been established in Kunar and Nuristan to handle the overflow of patients.

Relief efforts are being supported by both domestic charities and international aid organizations, which have begun sending food, tents, blankets, and medical supplies into the disaster zone. However, damaged roads, blocked mountain passes, and limited air transport are slowing the delivery of vital assistance.

Local reports indicate that many survivors are now sleeping in the open without shelter, exposed to harsh weather conditions. Aid workers warn of a looming secondary crisis, as shortages of clean water, food, and medicine threaten to worsen the already dire humanitarian situation.

The earthquake is one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit Afghanistan in recent years, highlighting the country’s fragile infrastructure and limited capacity to respond to large-scale emergencies. Calls for greater international support are growing, as authorities brace for the long and difficult task of rebuilding communities devastated by the quake. (ILKHA)