Earthquakes kill over 2,000 in Afghanistan. People are freeing the dead and injured with their hands

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A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 has struck western Afghanistan, resulting in a tragic loss of life. According to a spokesperson for the Taliban government, over 2,000 people have lost their lives, marking one of the most deadly seismic events the country has witnessed in the past two decades. It is important to note that these figures have not yet been independently verified.

The earthquake, which occurred on Saturday, was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks. The United States Geological Survey reported that the epicenter of the quake was located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat city. Subsequently, the region experienced three significant aftershocks, measuring magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, in addition to several smaller tremors.

In the aftermath of this catastrophic event, residents of Herat have been mobilizing to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble, using their bare hands to free the injured and recover the deceased. Heart-wrenching scenes have unfolded, with survivors and victims alike trapped beneath the debris of collapsed buildings, their faces obscured by a shroud of dust.

Heartbreaking footage shared online captured the rescue of a baby girl who had been buried under the wreckage, with a hand tenderly cradling her tiny torso as she was carefully extricated from the ground. The identity and fate of the baby’s mother remain uncertain.

Abdul Wahid Rayan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, has reported that the death toll is even higher than initially estimated. Entire villages have been razed, and hundreds of civilians remain buried beneath the debris. Urgent assistance is desperately needed. Rayan stated, “Besides the 2,060 dead, 1,240 people are injured and 1,320 houses are completely destroyed.” Multiple response teams, including military and nonprofit organizations such as the Red Crescent, have been mobilized to aid in the rescue efforts.

The United Nations migration agency has dispatched ambulances with medical professionals and psychosocial support counselors to the regional hospital. Furthermore, mobile health teams are en route to the Zenda Jan district, one of the hardest-hit areas. Doctors Without Borders has erected five medical tents at the Herat Regional Hospital, with a capacity to accommodate up to 80 patients. To date, they have treated over 300 patients.

Irfanullah Sharafzai, a spokesperson for the Afghan Red Crescent Society, revealed that seven rescue teams are actively engaged, with additional teams en route from neighboring provinces. A temporary shelter has been established for those who have lost their homes and are in need of immediate refuge.

Neighboring Pakistan has expressed profound sorrow over the earthquake’s devastation and is in close contact with Afghan authorities to assess urgent requirements for those affected. China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, has pledged support from the Chinese government and charitable organizations. Similarly, Afghan cricket star Rashid Khan has committed to donating all his Cricket World Cup fees to aid the earthquake survivors in Herat. He intends to launch a fundraising campaign to rally support from those who can assist the affected population.

Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Takashi Okada, conveyed his condolences via social media, expressing deep grief and sadness over the earthquake in Herat province. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of natural disasters on vulnerable communities.

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More about Earthquake Tragedy Afghanistan

• CNN: Powerful earthquake kills over 2,000 in Afghanistan
• United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Information
• Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) – Emergency Response
• The United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) – Afghanistan
• Afghan Red Crescent Society
• Rashid Khan on Twitter
• Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• China’s Embassy in Afghanistan
• Japan’s Embassy in Afghanistan on Twitter