An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck western Afghanistan, causing devastation and loss of life. The deadly quake, which had its epicenter 40 kilometers northwest of the largest city Herat, resulted in the deaths of around 120 people and injured over 1,000 others.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the initial earthquake was followed by eight aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 4.3 to 6.3. The disaster relief authorities reported that more than 1,000 people, including women, children, and elderly citizens, have been recorded as injured. Mosa Ashari, the head of Herat province’s disaster management, expressed the grim reality, stating, So far, about 120 people have lost their lives.
Witnesses described the terrifying scene as buildings shook violently, forcing crowds of residents to flee. Bashir Ahmad, a 45-year-old resident, shared his experience: We were in our offices and suddenly the building started shaking… some walls and parts of the building collapsed. The situation left people unable to contact their families, disconnected by disrupted network connections.
Residents of Herat sought safety on the wide streets, away from tall buildings, both during and after the earthquake, as aftershocks continued for hours. The scale of the destruction is vast, with houses in some areas totally collapsed, and people still trapped beneath the rubble. Aid agencies are making efforts to reach the affected areas, but the number of fatalities is expected to rise significantly, as Mullah Jan Sayeq, a spokesman for the disaster management authority, warned.
Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes due to its location near the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates meet. Last year, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck the province of Paktika, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Similarly, in March of this year, a magnitude 6.5 quake claimed the lives of 13 people in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The recent earthquake adds to the ongoing challenges faced by Afghanistan, which is already grappling with a humanitarian crisis following the withdrawal of foreign aid after the Taliban regained control in 2021. The country’s infrastructure and resources are strained, making the recovery and relief efforts even more arduous.
Considering the frequent occurrence of earthquakes in Afghanistan, it becomes crucial for the country to focus on disaster preparedness and strengthening infrastructure to reduce the impact of such natural disasters. The international community also needs to support Afghanistan in its efforts to rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by this latest earthquake.
