India rushes aid to Afghanistan as earthquake kills over 800, Jaishankar pledges more support

A massive earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, leaving over 800 people dead and more than 2,000 injured. The epicentre was reported in Kunar province, where entire villages were destroyed and roads blocked by landslides, making rescue operations extremely difficult.

India quickly responded by sending relief materials, including 1,000 family tents to Kabul and 15 tonnes of food supplies to Kunar. External affairs minister S Jaishankar spoke with Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, offering condolences and assuring that further aid would be dispatched starting Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the tragedy, saying India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” he posted on social media.

Rescue operations remain ongoing in the worst-hit districts of Chawkay, Nurgal, Shigal and Manogai in Kunar, where landslides buried villages. Casualties were also reported in Nangarhar, Laghman and Nuristan provinces. Taliban officials warned that the death toll is expected to rise as rescuers struggle to reach remote valleys.