Death toll from strong earthquakes that shook western Afghanistan rises to over 2,000

The recent seismic events in western Afghanistan have resulted in a significant loss of life, with the death toll now surpassing 2,000 individuals. These powerful earthquakes, described as one of the deadliest to afflict the nation in the past two decades, have left a trail of devastation in their wake.

On Saturday, a potent magnitude-6.3 earthquake, followed by a series of robust aftershocks, struck western Afghanistan, causing extensive damage and claiming numerous lives, according to the country’s national disaster authority. However, Abdul Wahid Rayan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, revealed that the actual death toll in Herat, the epicenter of the earthquake, is higher than initially reported. Tragically, approximately six villages have been obliterated, and hundreds of civilians are believed to be buried beneath the rubble. Rayan urgently appealed for assistance in the face of this dire situation.

The United Nations initially reported 320 casualties, but later clarified that this figure was still under verification. Local authorities, on the other hand, estimated approximately 100 fatalities and 500 injuries, as indicated in the latest update from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The update also revealed that 465 houses had been completely destroyed, with an additional 135 sustaining damage. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing search and rescue efforts, amid fears that more individuals may be trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Mohammad Abdullah Jan, spokesperson for the disaster authority, highlighted that four villages in the Zenda Jan district of Herat province were particularly hard-hit by the earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat city. The initial quake was followed by three powerful aftershocks, measuring magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, in addition to several smaller tremors.

Residents of Herat city described a state of panic, with people evacuating their homes and offices as a precautionary measure. Fearful of further earthquakes, many remained outside, hesitant to return indoors.

The World Health Organization in Afghanistan mobilized 12 ambulance vehicles to Zenda Jan to transport casualties to hospitals. Their efforts are part of a broader response to the ongoing crisis, with teams in hospitals providing medical assistance to the injured and assessing additional needs.

The disruption caused by the earthquake extended to communication networks, particularly in Herat, making it challenging to obtain timely information from affected areas. Social media posts depicted scenes of hundreds of individuals in the streets outside their residences and workplaces in Herat city.

Herat province shares a border with Iran, and the quake’s impact was also felt in neighboring Afghan provinces, including Farah and Badghis, according to local media reports.

Amid this tragedy, Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban-appointed deputy prime minister for economic affairs, conveyed his condolences to the victims in Herat and Badghis. The Taliban, in response to the crisis, urged local organizations to swiftly reach the earthquake-stricken areas to assist in evacuating the injured, providing shelter for the displaced, and delivering essential food supplies to survivors. They called upon security agencies to utilize all available resources and facilities for the critical task of rescuing those trapped beneath the debris.

In a message of sympathy, Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Takashi Okada, expressed his profound grief and sadness over the earthquake in Herat province on the social media platform.

This devastating seismic event serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of regions prone to earthquakes, and the immediate priority is to provide aid and support to those affected by this tragic disaster.

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More about earthquake Afghanistan

• Strong earthquakes hit western Afghanistan
• Taliban government reports death toll
• United Nations response to Afghanistan earthquakes
• World Health Organization’s efforts in the aftermath
• Japan’s ambassador expresses condolences