A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, killing more than 622 people and leaving hundreds injured, according to the country's Interior and Information Ministries.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the tremor at 19:17 GMT, with its epicenter located about 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad at a shallow depth of eight kilometers.

Officials confirmed casualties in several districts of Kunar province, including Nur Gal, Sawki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara. Landslides blocked roads to Dewa Gul in Sawki and Mazar Dara in Nur Gul, hampering rescue operations. Residents described the tremor as among the strongest in recent memory.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan's interim administration, acknowledged the human and material losses, writing on social media that "local authorities and residents are carrying out rescue efforts, while emergency teams from central and neighboring provinces are on their way." He added that all available resources are being mobilized to save lives.

The USGS also recorded at least two aftershocks measuring 5.2 magnitude in the same region shortly after the initial quake.

This disaster follows the devastating October 7, 2023, earthquake in Afghanistan, which measured 6.3 magnitude. While the Taliban government reported nearly 4,000 deaths, the United Nations placed the toll closer to 1,500, calling it one of the country's deadliest natural disasters in recent history.