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The death toll resulting from a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in western Afghanistan on Saturday has now reached “approximately 120,” as reported by disaster relief authorities. Additionally, more than 1,000 individuals are currently receiving treatment for injuries.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicenter was located 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat, the largest city in the region. The initial quake was followed by eight aftershocks, ranging in magnitudes between 4.3 and 6.3.
Mosa Ashari, the head of disaster management in Herat province, stated, “Our records show that more than 1,000 women, children, and elderly citizens have sustained injuries, and we have lost approximately 120 lives.”
Residents of Herat fled their buildings around 11:00 am (0630 GMT) as the tremors began. Bashir Ahmad, a 45-year-old resident, recounted, “We were in our offices when the building suddenly started shaking. Wall plasters fell, and cracks appeared in the walls, with some parts of buildings collapsing. I am unable to contact my family as network connections are down. I am deeply worried and frightened; it was a horrifying experience.”
Men, women, and children congregated in the wide streets, away from tall structures, immediately following the initial quake. They remained cautious about returning to their homes as aftershocks continued for hours. Idrees Arsala, a 21-year-old student, described the situation, saying, “The experience was extremely harrowing; I have never encountered anything like it. I was the last to evacuate my classroom safely as the quakes began.”
As of early Saturday evening, Mullah Jan Sayeq, a spokesperson for disaster management authorities, informed AFP that the fatality count was expected to “significantly increase.” He added, “Some areas have seen total collapse, with all houses damaged. People are still trapped under debris, and aid agencies are working to reach the affected areas.”
A preliminary estimate from the USGS suggested that there could be hundreds of fatalities. The statement from the USGS noted, “Significant casualties are likely, and the disaster’s impact could be widespread. Previous events with this alert level have necessitated a regional or national level response.”
Initially, the USGS had reported the magnitude of the first earthquake as 6.2, with a shallow depth of just 14 kilometers.
Herat, located 120 kilometers east of the Iranian border, holds cultural significance in Afghanistan and serves as the capital of Herat province, which had an estimated population of 1.9 million according to 2019 World Bank data.
Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, situated near the intersection of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
In June of the previous year, over 1,000 people lost their lives, and tens of thousands were left homeless due to a 5.9-magnitude earthquake, the deadliest in Afghanistan in nearly 25 years, which struck the impoverished province of Paktika.
In March of the current year, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake near Jurm in northeastern Afghanistan resulted in 13 casualties in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Afghanistan is already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis following the withdrawal of foreign aid, with the Taliban returning to power in 2021.
