A catastrophic earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 800 people and injuring thousands more. The 6.0 magnitude quake hit late Sunday night, centered just 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad in Kunar province, unleashing widespread devastation across numerous villages. Eyewitness accounts reveal horrific scenes of destruction as buildings crumbled, trapping residents beneath the rubble.

The Taliban government has confirmed the staggering death toll, with reports indicating that over 2,500 individuals have sustained injuries. Many of the casualties occurred in rural areas, where homes, often constructed of mud bricks and wood, were ill-equipped to withstand such a powerful tremor. Rescue operations are underway, but the mountainous terrain and blocked roads are complicating efforts, forcing aid workers to trek for hours to reach survivors.

Footage from the scene shows frantic rescue efforts, with responders carrying injured individuals on stretchers and helicopters evacuating those in dire need of medical attention. Survivors have described the horrifying moment their homes collapsed, leaving them to hear the desperate cries for help from friends and family members trapped beneath the debris.

As aftershocks continue to rattle the region, the situation remains dire. Communication has been severely impacted, hampering coordination of relief efforts. Dozens of flights have been dispatched to transport the injured to local hospitals, but the scale of the disaster poses a significant challenge for emergency services.

With the death toll likely to rise as rescue operations progress, the urgent need for international aid and support is more critical than ever. The people of Afghanistan are facing a humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions, and immediate action is required to provide relief to those affected by this tragic event.