A man sits on the debris of a building after an <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/06/22/asia/afghanistan-earthquake-aid-rescue-search-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank">earthquake in Paktika</a>, Afghanistan on June 22. The magnitude 5.9 quake struck during the early hours of Wednesday near the city of Khost and the death toll has risen to over 1000 people.
In photos: Deadly earthquake hits Afghanistan
A man sits on the debris of a building after an earthquake in Paktika, Afghanistan on June 22. The magnitude 5.9 quake struck during the early hours of Wednesday near the city of Khost and the death toll has risen to over 1000 people.
Sayed Khodaiberdi Sadat/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Updated 3:23 AM EDT, Fri June 24, 2022

Afghanistan was rocked by its deadliest earthquake in decades on Wednesday when a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the country's east, killing more than 1,000 people and wounding many more, according to a regional official.

The humanitarian disaster comes at a difficult time for the Taliban-ruled country, currently in the throes of hunger and economic crises.

Men stand around the bodies of people killed in an earthquake in Gayan village, in Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23.
Men stand around the bodies of people killed in an earthquake in Gayan village, in Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP
An Afghan man looks for his belongings amid the ruins of a house damaged by an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23.
An Afghan man looks for his belongings amid the ruins of a house damaged by an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23.
Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images
A man carries supplies in an area affected by the earthquake in Gayan, Afghanistan, on June 23.
A man carries supplies in an area affected by the earthquake in Gayan, Afghanistan, on June 23.
Ali Khara/Reuters
A child stands besides a house damaged by an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23.
A child stands besides a house damaged by an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23.
Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images
Afghan people set up tents as a temporary shelters amid the ruins of houses damaged in the earthquake in Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23.
Afghan people set up tents as a temporary shelters amid the ruins of houses damaged in the earthquake in Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23.
Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images
Afghan men search for survivors amidst the debris of a house that was destroyed by an earthquake in Gayan, Afghanistan, on June 23.
Afghan men search for survivors amidst the debris of a house that was destroyed by an earthquake in Gayan, Afghanistan, on June 23.
Ali Khara/Reuters
A Taliban fighter stands guard next to a helicopter in Gayan, Afghanistan, on June 23.
A Taliban fighter stands guard next to a helicopter in Gayan, Afghanistan, on June 23.
Ali Khara/Reuters
An Afghan man stands besides a door of a house damaged by an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23.
An Afghan man stands besides a door of a house damaged by an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23.
Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images
Members of a Taliban rescue team return from affected villages following an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23.
Members of a Taliban rescue team return from affected villages following an earthquake in Bernal district, Paktika province, on June 23.
Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images
A man stands near debris of a building after the quake shakes border provinces of Paktika, Afghanistan on June 23.
A man stands near debris of a building after the quake shakes border provinces of Paktika, Afghanistan on June 23.
Sayed Khodaiberdi Sadat/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A Taliban military helicopter flies over an earthquake-damaged area in the Paktika province, on June 23.
A Taliban military helicopter flies over an earthquake-damaged area in the Paktika province, on June 23.
Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images
Children sit near their home that has been destroyed in an earthquake in the Spera District of southwest of the city of Khost, Afghanistan, on June 22.
Children sit near their home that has been destroyed in an earthquake in the Spera District of southwest of the city of Khost, Afghanistan, on June 22.
AP
People help in search and rescue operations amid the debris of a building after the earthquake in Afghanistan on June 22.
People help in search and rescue operations amid the debris of a building after the earthquake in Afghanistan on June 22.
Sardar Shafaq/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A villager collects his belongings from under the rubble of his home that was destroyed in the earthquake in Afghanistan on June 22.
A villager collects his belongings from under the rubble of his home that was destroyed in the earthquake in Afghanistan on June 22.
AP
An injured victim of the earthquake receives treatment at a hospital in Paktia, Afghanistan, on June 22.
An injured victim of the earthquake receives treatment at a hospital in Paktia, Afghanistan, on June 22.
Stringer/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Afghans evacuate wounded people in the province of Paktika, eastern Afghanistan, on June 22.
Afghans evacuate wounded people in the province of Paktika, eastern Afghanistan, on June 22.
AP
Search and rescue operations continue after the earthquake on June 22.
Search and rescue operations continue after the earthquake on June 22.
Sayed Khodaberdi Sadat/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Taliban guards outside the district hospital where victims of the earthquake were brought in Paktia, Afghanistan, on June 22.
Taliban guards outside the district hospital where victims of the earthquake were brought in Paktia, Afghanistan, on June 22.
Stringer/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
An old man sits near his house that was destroyed in the earthquake on June 22.
An old man sits near his house that was destroyed in the earthquake on June 22.
AP
An ambulance assists earthquake victims on June 22.
An ambulance assists earthquake victims on June 22.
Stringer/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
People queue up in a line to donate blood for the earthquake victims being treated at a hospital in Paktika, Afghanistan, on June 22.
People queue up in a line to donate blood for the earthquake victims being treated at a hospital in Paktika, Afghanistan, on June 22.
Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images
A girl stands near a house that was damaged by the earthquake on June 22.
A girl stands near a house that was damaged by the earthquake on June 22.
AP
People sit outside a tent after their house was damaged in the earthquake on June 22.
People sit outside a tent after their house was damaged in the earthquake on June 22.
AP