2000 Killed After Series Of Powerful Earthquakes Hit Afghanistan, Say Taliban

Following a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan the death toll has reached 2,000. On Saturday, an earthquake of 6.3 magnitude followed by strong aftershocks killed dozens.

The death toll from a series of earthquakes that shook western Afghanistan has reached 2,000, a Taliban spokesperson said. According to news agency Associated Press, an earthquake of 6.3 magnitude followed by strong aftershocks killed dozens of people in western Afghanistan on Saturday. The Ministry of Information and Culture spokesman, Abdul Wahid Rayan, said that the death toll of Herat is higher than what was reported. A total of six villages have been destroyed adding that hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris, he said while calling for urgent help. 

Earlier the United Nations said 320 people were killed, later adding that the figure was still being verified. The update also said 465 houses had been reported destroyed and a further 135 were damaged.

“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 Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, as per AP.

“Significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread,” a preliminary United States Geological Survey (USGS) report said, as per The Guardian. “Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response.”

The United States Geological Survey said the quake’s epicentre was about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Herat city. It was followed by three very strong aftershocks, measuring magnitude 6.3, 5.9 and 5.5, as well as lesser shocks. At least five strong tremors struck the city around noon, Herat city resident Abdul Shakor Samadi said.

“All people are out of their homes,” Samadi was quoted by AP. “Houses, offices and shops are all empty and there are fears of more earthquakes. My family and I were inside our home, I felt the quake.” His family began shouting and ran outside, afraid to return indoors.

The quake also was felt in the nearby Afghan provinces of Farah and Badghis, according to local media reports.

Videos from Herat were almost apocalyptic, houses were completely destroyed and many people were seen bringing their loved ones out of the rubble.

Disaster authority spokesperson Mohammad Abdullah Jan said four villages in the Zenda Jan district in Herat province bore the brunt of the quake and aftershocks.

A resident of Zenda Jan district told the news outlet that villages were completely destroyed and that hundreds of people are under the rubble. He further said that the roads in the villages were destroyed as well, according to The Guardian. 

“I can tell you only 50 people are alive in the village of my relatives,” Dawood added. “More than 400 people were living there until this morning. A catastrophe is unfolding here.

The 600-bed Herat regional hospital was filled with injured people and the staff were also forced to treat people outside the hospital, according to The Guardian.

Meanwhile, the Taliban urged local organisations to reach the earthquake-hit areas as soon as possible to help take the injured to hospital, provide shelter for the homeless, and deliver food to survivors. They said security agencies should use all their resources and facilities to rescue people trapped under debris.