PM Modi Condoles Loss of Lives in Afghanistan Earthquake as Toll Crosses 812

New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep grief over the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, which has claimed more than 812 lives, and assured India’s readiness to provide humanitarian assistance.

Posting on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote: “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. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected.”

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also conveyed condolences and concern over the tragedy in Kunar Province. “India will extend assistance in this hour of need. Our condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for the early recovery of the injured,” he said.

Rescue teams are struggling to reach remote areas with limited communication access, and officials warned that the current toll remains preliminary as relief efforts continue.

According to the US Geological Survey, the 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan at 11:47 p.m. local time on Sunday, at a shallow depth of 8 km. The region’s mountainous terrain, combined with Afghanistan’s position on multiple seismic fault lines, makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and landslides, hampering rescue operations.

Afghanistan has suffered a series of deadly quakes in recent years. A 6.3-magnitude earthquake in October 2023 killed an estimated 4,000 people, while over the past decade more than 7,000 people have lost their lives to seismic disasters, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The May 1998 earthquake in Takhar and Badakhshan provinces killed about 4,000 people, destroyed nearly 100 villages and 16,000 houses, and left 45,000 homeless, underscoring the nation’s long-standing vulnerability to natural calamities.

With inputs from IANS