Afghanistan was rattled this week by a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake, shaking vast regions of the country and igniting widespread panic in communities already facing hardship. The main tremor was followed by a 4.5-magnitude aftershock within hours, intensifying fear among residents who worry that additional quakes may strike in the coming days.
A Nation Shaken
The earthquake struck without warning, sending homes trembling across multiple provinces. Residents described walls cracking, household items toppling, and families rushing into the streets in the dead of night. Entire neighborhoods gathered outdoors, clinging together in fear, reciting prayers, and waiting for the ground to stabilize.
“The whole house shook like it was made of paper,” said a resident from eastern Afghanistan. “I grabbed my children and ran outside. We thought the roof would collapse on us.”
In towns and villages across the country, many refused to re-enter their homes, fearing weakened structures might not withstand further tremors. Families camped in open fields and empty lots, wrapped in blankets against the cold, too frightened to sleep indoors.
Emergency Response Under Pressure
Afghan emergency teams moved quickly to assess damage, but initial reports were slow. Disrupted communication lines and fragile infrastructure have complicated rescue and relief efforts. Hospitals in affected provinces were placed on high alert, preparing to treat injuries ranging from fractures caused by falling debris to trauma from stampedes as people fled their homes.
Aid organizations, both local and international, are monitoring the situation closely. Afghanistan’s limited healthcare and emergency systems leave little capacity for large-scale disasters, and even moderate earthquakes can have devastating effects in regions where many buildings are not built to withstand strong seismic activity.
