A powerful earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan on 31 August, killing at least 800 people and injuring thousands more. The magnitude-6 tremor hit remote mountainous regions late on Sunday, flattening entire villages and leaving survivors cut off by blocked roads and heavy rain.
The Taliban government has issued an urgent appeal for international help as rescue teams battle poor conditions to reach the injured. While some countries have pledged support, Washington has yet to confirm whether it will contribute. The disaster compounds an already dire humanitarian crisis, with millions of Afghans reliant on aid for survival.
