Afghanistan, Pakistan: At least 1,000 people dead in eastern regions after magnitude-5.9 earthquake occurs in border region around 01:24 AFT June 22 /update 3

Event

Afghan authorities stated that at least 1,000 people in the Khost, Paktia, and Nangarhar provinces have died after a magnitude-5.9 earthquake occurred in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region at around 01:24 AFT June 22. Local reports indicate more than 600 others have been injured. The official casualty count is likely to rise in the coming hours as authorities continue to carry out damage assessments in remote mountain locations. One person was killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Many structures have been damaged or destroyed in affected areas. Authorities are conducting rescue operations. Recent flooding in the region has blocked several stretches of highway, which is likely to hamper ongoing recovery efforts. The earthquake was followed by a magnitude-4.9 aftershock nearly an hour after the original quake, and further aftershocks are possible in the coming hours and days.

Localized transport disruptions are likely in the affected areas in the coming days as emergency response and recovery operations continue. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter about 46 km (28 miles) southwest of Khost, Afghanistan.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.