More Than 2,000 Killed In Afghanistan Earthquake
According to reports, more than 2,000 people have died in the earthquake that struck western Afghanistan near the Iranian border. Many others are injured due to the 6.3 magnitude quake, followed by several aftershocks, occurred approximately 40 kilometers from the western city of Herat in this landlocked country, situated at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. The earthquake occurred around 11:00 local time, as reported by the BBC.
The death toll from the earthquake in Herat is many times higher than media reports. About six villages have been destroyed, and hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris. Relief and aid operations are urgently needed.#Herat #Afghanistan #EarthQuake pic.twitter.com/R9h6c6RrhP
— Khalid Zadran (@khalidzadran01) October 7, 2023
“Unfortunately, the casualties are practically very high,” an official said.
Locals told news agency that they were in offices and suddenly the building started shaking. “Wall plaster started to fall down and the walls got cracks, some walls and parts of the building collapsed.” Herat resident Bashir Ahmad told news agency AFP.
“I am not able to contact my family, network connections are disconnected. I am too worried and scared, it was horrifying,” he added.
Rescue teams are currently working to assist the affected civilians in Herat after the earthquake caused huge losses. “Entire villages are turned into rubble,” an X user wrote.
Rescue teams are working to assist the affected civilians in Herat province of Afghanistan after yesterday’s earthquake causing huge losses. Entire villages are turned into rubble. pic.twitter.com/oRQzJbXjX5
— Muhammad Jalal (@MJalal0093) October 8, 2023
Herat province, located on the border with Iran and home to approximately 1.9 million people, has been grappling with a prolonged drought that has severely affected already struggling agricultural communities.
Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, situated near the convergence of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
In June last year, over 1,000 individuals lost their lives, and tens of thousands were rendered homeless when a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck the impoverished province of Paktika. This earthquake was the deadliest in Afghanistan in nearly a quarter of a century.
