External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday conveyed India’s solidarity with Afghanistan after a devastating earthquake struck Kunar Province, leaving over 600 dead and more than 1,000 injured.

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote: “The devastating earthquake in Kunar Province of Afghanistan is a matter of deep concern. Express our support and solidarity to the Afghan people as they respond to it. India will extend assistance in this hour of need. Our condolences to the families of the victims. And our prayers for early recovery of the injured.”

According to Afghan state media, the 6.0-magnitude quake hit eastern Afghanistan late on August 31, with its epicentre about 27 km deep in Kunar Province. Rescue teams are struggling to reach remote, mountainous areas with limited communication, and officials warn the death toll of 622 could rise as assessments continue.

Afghanistan lies on multiple seismic fault lines, making it prone to devastating earthquakes. The disaster follows a series of quakes last year in western Afghanistan that killed more than 1,000 people. In October 2023, a 6.3 magnitude quake claimed at least 4,000 lives, making it one of the country’s worst natural disasters in recent decades.

With fragile infrastructure and limited resources, Afghanistan remains among the world’s most vulnerable nations to seismic disasters. India’s offer of assistance underscores New Delhi’s continued humanitarian outreach to the Afghan people.