Over 2,000 dead in western Afghanistan earthquakes

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Oct 2023 10:58

A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3, accompanied by significant aftershocks, claims the lives of numerous individuals in western Afghanistan.

An aerial view of the outskirts of Herat, Afghanistan, Monday, June 5, 2023. (AP)

A spokesperson for the Taliban government announced on Sunday that the number of casualties resulting from powerful earthquakes in western Afghanistan has exceeded 2,000. This earthquake is among the deadliest to hit the country in the past 20 years.

A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3, accompanied by significant aftershocks, claimed the lives of numerous individuals in western Afghanistan on Saturday, as reported by the nation's disaster management agency.

However, Abdul Wahid Rayan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, has indicated that the number of casualties resulting from the Herat earthquake is greater than initially stated. Approximately six villages have been devastated, and numerous civilians are trapped under the rubble, prompting an urgent appeal for assistance.

On Saturday, the United Nations initially reported approximately 320 fatalities, but they subsequently clarified that the number was under verification. Local officials provided an estimate of around 100 deceased and 500 wounded, as mentioned in the updated information from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

It breaks my heart to hear that 14 members of his family, including his 5-day-old child, are trapped under the rubble. A devastating earthquake has devastated countless homes in Herat, Afghanistan, claiming the lives of over 2,000 people and leaving more than 10,000 injured.… pic.twitter.com/DjCcB3kOuv
— Wazhma Ayoubi 🇦🇫 (@WazhmaAyoubi) October 8, 2023

The report indicated that 465 houses were officially recorded as demolished, with an additional 135 homes suffering damage.

“Partners and local authorities anticipate the number of casualties to increase as search and rescue efforts continue amid reports that some people may be trapped under collapsed buildings,” the UN said.

Spokesperson Mohammad Abdullah Jan from the disaster authority explained that the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks predominantly affected four villages in the Zenda Jan district of Herat province.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the northwest of Herat city. Following the initial quake, there were three powerful aftershocks with magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, in addition to smaller tremors.

Phone lines were disrupted in Herat, which posed challenges in gathering information from the impacted regions. Videos circulated on social media depicted hundreds of individuals gathering in the streets around their residences and workplaces within Herat city.

Back in June 2022, a potent earthquake hit a remote, hilly area in eastern Afghanistan, causing widespread destruction to stone and mud-brick houses. The seismic event resulted in a minimum of 1,000 casualties and around 1,500 individuals sustaining injuries.