Shock and Rescue: Helicopters to the Fore Frontline
KABUL, September 2, 2025 — A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake has devastated eastern Afghanistan—particularly Kunar and Nangarhar provinces—leaving over 800 people dead and tending to nearly 3,000 injured, officials confirm. Rescue efforts have turned to helicopter evacuations as landslides and aftershocks continue to block roads and hamper ground access.
Military and humanitarian choppers have been vital in ferrying the wounded and delivering aid to remote areas still cut off from rescue teams.
Remote Terrain, Rising Toll
The quake struck late on August 31, centered deep within the mountainous Kunar region near the Pakistan border. Many villages—especially in Nurgal district—were entirely flattened, with rescue hampered by landslides and continuing tremors.
Local hospitals are overwhelmed, and aid workers warn that the casualty figures are expected to climb as they reach more isolated villages.
Aerial Lifelines: Helicopters Leading Rescue Efforts
With roads rendered impassable, helicopters have become the lifeline for evacuations. Over recent days, they have transported both the injured and deceased from inaccessible terrain to hospitals in Asadabad and Jalalabad.
“Without air support, many of the worst-hit areas would remain out of reach,” said a regional official overseeing rescue coordination. Persistent aftershocks, however, have forced temporary halts in operations, endangering both survivors and rescue crews.
Aid Response and Immediate Challenges
The Taliban administration has urgently appealed for international aid. Neighboring nations and global agencies are mobilizing emergency support, though disbursement remains difficult due to the complex terrain and limited infrastructure.
Weather conditions—particularly heavy rains—have worsened the situation by increasing landslide risks. The UN and humanitarian organizations warn that without safe access and adequate aid, the situation could deteriorate further.
Significance for Afghanistan and Beyond
This earthquake compounds Afghanistan’s chronic vulnerabilities—poverty, limited infrastructure, and diminished international aid—all aggravated in the Taliban era.
Experts caution that Afghanistan, situated in active seismic zones, remains at heightened risk. The scale of destruction underscores the urgent need for improved early warning systems, earthquake-resistant infrastructure, and sustained humanitarian support.
FAQs
More than 800 people have died, and nearly 3,000 were injured, primarily in the Kunar and Nangarhar regions.
Landslides and damaged roads have blocked ground routes. Helicopters are evacuating injured survivors and delivering aid to remote villages.
Rescue efforts face rugged terrain, ongoing aftershocks, bad weather, and overwhelmed health facilities. International aid is arriving but logistical challenges persist.
Sources:
The Guardian
Reuters
Times of India
