Multiple Aftershocks Injure Afghans in Earthquake's Aftermath

Afghanistan's Earthquake Crisis Deepens as Aftershocks Terrorize Survivors

Afghanistan's eastern provinces remain paralyzed as five powerful aftershocks struck Thursday night, injuring ten more people and deepening the humanitarian catastrophe that has already claimed over 2,200 lives. The tremors, averaging magnitude 5.0, are compounding the misery for thousands of families forced to sleep outdoors in freezing conditions, highlighting the Taliban government's limited capacity to handle major disasters.

Aftershocks Spread Fear Across Eight Provinces

The latest seismic activity hit eight eastern provinces, including the worst-affected areas of Nangarhar, Laghman, and Kunar. These aftershocks were felt as far as Kabul and Pakistan's capital Islamabad, demonstrating the continuing geological instability in the region.

Mohammad Hamd, spokesman for Afghanistan's disaster management agency, confirmed the ten new injuries from Thursday night's tremors. Since the initial 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck near midnight Sunday, approximately ten strong aftershocks have rattled the region, each one sending survivors into panic.

Psychological Trauma Compounds Physical Devastation

The psychological impact on survivors is becoming as significant as the physical destruction. Malik Niazi, a senior official in Laghman province, described "scenes of panic and stampeding" as each aftershock triggers mass fear among those who have already lost everything.

Inamullah Safi, a 25-year-old cook from the Shaba Dar district near the hardest-hit Nurgal area, captured the human cost: "I couldn't sleep all night because I was so scared. The night was cold, and two or three people had to share one blanket."

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The disaster's scope continues expanding as rescue teams struggle to reach isolated communities. Current casualties stand at over 2,200 dead and approximately 4,000 injured, with around 7,000 homes destroyed. However, authorities warn these numbers may rise significantly as landslides and soil collapses have cut off entire towns from the outside world.

Thousands of families now live in fields and streets, either fearing their damaged homes will collapse or because their houses have been completely destroyed. This outdoor displacement during Afghanistan's harsh mountain winter creates additional health risks, particularly for children and elderly survivors.

Taliban Government Faces Capacity Test

This earthquake represents the most severe natural disaster since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. The crisis tests the group's administrative capabilities while international sanctions limit access to foreign aid and technical expertise that could accelerate rescue operations.

Unlike previous Afghan governments that could rely on extensive international support during emergencies, the Taliban must largely manage this disaster with domestic resources. The ongoing search and rescue operations are hampered by the regime's limited heavy machinery and specialized equipment needed for such large-scale disasters.

Regional Seismic Activity Pattern

Afghanistan sits along several active fault lines, making it particularly vulnerable to seismic activity. The Hindu Kush mountain region, where this earthquake occurred, regularly experiences significant tremors due to the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The pattern of strong aftershocks following major earthquakes is typical for this geological region, but creates prolonged suffering for affected populations who cannot return to normal life while the ground continues shaking beneath them.