Afghanistan earthquake: Death toll rises sharply
(VOVWORLD) - Casualties from the powerful earthquake that struck Afghanistan late on August 31 continue to rise, with more than 800 confirmed dead and nearly 2,800 injured.
 A collapsed house after a deadly magnitude-6 earthquake that struck Afghanistan around midnight, in Dara Noor, in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, September 1, 2025. Photo: REUTERS |
Rescue teams from Afghanistan and the United Nations are struggling to reach remote areas with limited communication to assess the full scale of the disaster and deliver aid. At least 40 air rescue operations have been deployed.
Neighboring countries have offered condolences and assistance. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed deep sympathy and pledged emergency medical supplies and humanitarian support.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed solidarity and vowed support for the Afghan people. UN Secretary-General António Guterres extended condolences to the Taliban authorities and solidarity with the Afghan people, already suffering from years of violence.