Afghanistan was rattled once again on Thursday afternoon as a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, deepening fears in a region already devastated by recent tremors.
According to seismological data, the quake occurred around 4:56 p.m. local time at a shallow depth of nearly 10 kilometers. Although immediate reports of casualties are yet to be confirmed, the tremor sent residents rushing outdoors, with many too afraid to return to damaged homes.
This latest jolt marks the third strong quake in less than a week, following a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake earlier that left more than 2,200 people dead and thousands injured across eastern provinces including Kunar and Nangarhar. Entire villages were flattened, and hospitals continue to overflow with the wounded.
Rescue and relief efforts remain stretched thin. Blocked roads, landslides, and shortages of food, medicine, and shelter have slowed operations. Aid agencies warn that survivors are now battling trauma, homelessness, and growing humanitarian needs as aftershocks keep shaking the region.
International organizations have renewed appeals for urgent global support, noting that Afghanistan—already struggling with economic hardship—cannot manage such repeated natural disasters alone.
For the people of Nangarhar and surrounding provinces, the fresh 5.6 quake is another painful reminder of the country’s vulnerability, leaving many to wonder how long the ground beneath them will remain unsettled.
