Helicopter Rescue Teams Lead Afghanistan         Earthquake Relief as Death Toll Exceeds 800

02 September 2025

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on Sunday night, killing more than 800 people and injuring thousands, officials confirmed Monday. Entire villages constructed of mudbrick and wood were flattened in the mountainous provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, near the border with Pakistan.

Helicopter Rescue Teams Mobilised

With roads blocked by landslides and a lack of access to remote areas, helicopter rescue teams became essential to the response. Military and defence ministry helicopters conducted around 40 flights, evacuating at least 420 casualties, both injured and deceased, from devastated districts such as Nurgal, Chakway, and Shultan.

Humanitarian Challenges and International Appeal

The Taliban administration, already facing deep budget cuts in international aid, appealed to the global community for urgent support. Foreign aid has dwindled drastically in recent years, from $3.8 billion in 2022 to only about $767 million in 2025.

Eyewitnesses Describe Devastation

Survivors in Kunar province described apocalyptic scenes. One resident said, “There is death in every home,” as local volunteers and defense forces laboured to dig out victims under unstable rubble.

Aftershocks, Terrain, and Looming Crisis

The quake’s shallow depth, just 6 to 10 km beneath the surface, made it particularly destructive in the hilly terrain. As aftershocks continue and rescue efforts expand, authorities caution that the death toll may rise further.

International Response

Agencies including the UN, International Red Cross, UNHCR, and UNICEF have called for urgent assistance. Early aid pledges have come from China, Iran, India, the UAE, Switzerland, and the UK, providing humanitarian supplies, tents, medical support, and funding.

As rescue operations continue in the harsh mountainous terrain, helicopter rescue teams remain vital in life-saving evacuations. The combination of shallow seismic activity, remote settlements, and dwindling humanitarian funding has turned this into an urgent international disaster scenario. The world’s response in the coming days will be critical in averting further tragedy.

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