A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, killing at least 800 people and injuring more than 1,300 others, according to early reports. Authorities fear the toll will continue to climb as emergency crews reach remote areas and assess the full scale of the disaster.

Seismologists warn that the region could experience aftershocks for days, some of which may be stronger or more damaging than the original quake. That possibility has left many survivors afraid to return to their homes, even as search-and-rescue teams race against time to find people still trapped under collapsed buildings.

The earthquake has caused widespread destruction, flattening homes, damaging infrastructure, and overwhelming already limited medical facilities. Aid workers on the ground say hospitals are struggling to treat the high number of wounded, while rescue teams are contending with blocked roads and limited equipment to clear rubble.

Meanwhile, Afghan communities abroad are watching with concern. In the Bay Area, where a large Afghan population resides, families are anxiously awaiting news from loved ones back home and calling for urgent humanitarian assistance. Local leaders and advocacy groups are urging international relief organizations and governments to step in quickly with food, shelter, and medical aid.

The tragedy highlights Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, worsened by poverty, fragile infrastructure, and years of conflict that have left the nation ill-equipped to respond to crises of this magnitude.