Afghanistan: Officials have said that more than 100 people lost their lives in a powerful earthquake followed by strong aftershocks in western Afghanistan. The United Nations has warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue efforts continue.
The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck 40km (24 miles) west of the city of Herat. Aftershocks were also felt in the neighbouring Badghis and Farah provinces.
The Afghan Ministry of Defence shared on X that the tremors killed more than 100 people and injured more than 500.
“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 OCHA remarked.
The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was 40 km northwest of Herat city. Three strong aftershocks followed, measuring magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, as well as lesser shocks.
Mr. Mohammad Abdullah Jan, spokesperson for the disaster authority, reported that the earthquake and its aftershocks damaged homes in four villages located in the Zenda Jan district of Herat province.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) in Afghanistan has dispatched 12 ambulances to Zenda Jan to evacuate casualties to hospitals.
“As deaths & casualties from the earthquake continue to be reported, teams are in hospitals assisting treatment of wounded & assessing additional needs,” the UN agency wrote on X.
“WHO-supported ambulances are transporting those affected, most of them women and children,” the UN agency added.
The Taliban-appointed deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Mr. Abdul Ghani Baradar, expressed his condolences to the dead and injured in Herat and Badghis.
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