In the dead of night, a powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, close to the Pakistan border, leaving a trail of destruction and tragedy.

The seismic event occurred at 11:47 PM on Sunday, registering a depth of just 8 kilometers, which typically leads to greater damage. The quake was centered about 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, as reported by the US Geological Survey.

Initial reports indicate a grim toll: at least nine people have lost their lives, while an additional 25 have sustained injuries, according to Ajmal Darwaish, a spokesperson for the Nangahar health department.

Just 20 minutes after the main quake, a subsequent tremor measuring 4.5 struck the same region, adding to the chaos.

This recent quake comes on the heels of a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake that rocked Afghanistan on October 7, 2023, which the Taliban government estimates resulted in over 4,000 fatalities. Meanwhile, the United Nations reported a significantly lower figure of around 1,500 deaths, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Afghanistan’s recent history.

As rescue efforts begin and information continues to trickle in, the nation remains on high alert. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding crisis.