Second quake of 5.5 magnitude strikes Afghanistan

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, reported Reuters citing GFZ.

The quake comes as even as the death toll from a stronger 6.0 magnitude on Monday quake that hit the country late Sunday night climbed to at least 1,400, with more than 3,000 injured, reported AP.

The latest quake rattled the same region devastated earlier less than 24 hours ago, intensifying fear and hampering rescue operations already stretched thin.


“The injured are being evacuated, so these figures may change significantly,” Yousaf Hammad, spokesman for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, told the Associated Press.

Authorities told the news agency that landslides triggered by the initial tremor had blocked key roads, delaying aid and emergency crews.

“The earthquake caused landslides in some areas, blocking roads, but they have been reopened, and the remaining roads will be reopened to allow access to areas that were difficult to reach,” Hammad added.

Rescuers, supported by volunteers and local villagers, continued digging through rubble on Tuesday, racing against time to find survivors before the critical window closes.

India sends relief aid

India has begun delivering emergency relief supplies to quake-hit Afghanistan, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assuring his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi of continued support.

“Spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi today. Expressed our condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake. Conveyed that India has delivered 1,000 family tents today in Kabul,” Jaishankar said in a post on social media.

He added that 15 tonnes of food material was being moved from Kabul to Kunar and that further consignments would be sent from India starting Wednesday. “Wish early recovery of those injured. India stands by Afghanistan at this difficult time,” the external affairs minister said.

PM Modi also expressed grief over the tragedy, saying India was committed to providing “all possible humanitarian aid” to those affected. “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,” the prime minsiter said in a message on X.