India Extends Support as Afghanistan Quake Claims Over 800 Lives

New Delhi: A devastating earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, killing at least 812 people and leaving many more injured. As rescue operations struggle to reach remote areas, India has expressed solidarity and pledged humanitarian assistance to the quake-hit nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed condolences through social media on Monday, describing the tragedy as heartbreaking. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected,” he wrote on X.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also assured India’s support, saying, “India will extend assistance in this hour of need. Our condolences to the families of the victims. And our prayers for early recovery of the injured.”

The 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Kunar Province at 11.47 p.m. on Sunday, at a shallow depth of just eight kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey. Afghan authorities said the death toll could rise further as emergency workers face major challenges in reaching mountainous regions with poor communication facilities.

Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries due to its position along multiple fault lines. Its fragile infrastructure and rugged terrain make recovery efforts slow and perilous. Landslides triggered by tremors often worsen the devastation.

This disaster follows a series of deadly quakes in recent years. In October 2023, a 6.3-magnitude quake and strong aftershocks in western Afghanistan killed nearly 4,000 people, marking one of the deadliest natural calamities in the country’s history. Over the past decade, earthquakes have claimed more than 7,000 lives in Afghanistan, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.