"Over 600 killed in shallow earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, reports state media"

6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Claims Hundreds of Lives, Reports Indicate

A powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and injuring over a thousand people, according to the national broadcaster Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA). Concerns remain that the death toll could rise further.

The quake, which occurred late Sunday, affected multiple towns in Kunar province, close to Jalalabad in neighboring Nangahar province. Measuring 6.0 in magnitude, its shallow depth of 8 kilometers likely contributed to the widespread destruction.

Officials from the Kunar Disaster Management Authority stated that at least 250 people were killed and 500 others injured in the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapadare.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Kabul, led by the Taliban, noted they were still verifying the final casualty numbers as rescue teams attempted to access remote areas.

Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.