Afghanistan hit by fourth earthquake since August 31, latest of magnitude 5.4

According to Reuters, the two aftershocks hit eastern Afghanistan within a span of 12 hours. The epicentre of Thursday’s tremor was in Shiwa district, Nangarhar province, near the Pakistan border, a provincial health department spokesperson said. Some initial reports of damage have emerged, though full assessments are ongoing.

Continuous aftershocks were reported across Nangarhar, a Reuters witness said, as survivors feared further collapses of homes and buildings. With most houses built of dry masonry, stone, and timber, many families have chosen to remain outdoors rather than risk staying inside.

Residents from nearby towns and villages rush to aid survivors after Sunday night’s 6.0-magnitude quake in Kunar’s Nurgol district. (AP photo)

One of Afghanistan’s deadliest weeks

The series of earthquakes began on August 31, Sunday, when a magnitude 6 tremor struck at a depth of 10 km, devastating Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. It was followed by a 5.5-magnitude quake on Tuesday that triggered landslides, cutting off access to remote villages and halting rescue efforts.

The Taliban administration has so far confirmed at least 2,205 deaths and 3,640 injuries. More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed, authorities said.

Rescue workers continued to recover bodies from the rubble on Thursday. Aid groups warn that thousands have been left without food, medical supplies, and shelter. The United Nations has said the humanitarian situation remains dire as resources dwindle and survivors are forced to spend nights in the open.

The earthquakes primarily strike along the Hindu Kush mountain range, reported Reuters, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, making the region one of the world’s most quake-prone.

(With inputs from Reuters)