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Afghanistan: 14 dead, 78 injured after 6.3-magnitude earthquake
14 persons have died while 78 injured after 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan

Afghanistan: 14 dead, 78 injured after 6.3-magnitude earthquake

By Manzoor-ul-Hassan
Oct 07, 2023
06:03 pm
What's the story

A massive 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked western Afghanistan on Saturday, resulting in 14 deaths and 78 injuries, the AFP reported, citing officials. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter was 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat, the region's largest city. Following the main quake, five aftershocks with magnitudes between 4.6 and 6.3 were also documented. With landslides and collapsed buildings, the death toll may continue to rise, per emergency service.

What Next?

Landslides threat looms, casualties may increase 

The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority told AFP that the initial death toll is "preliminary" and may rise due to landslides in rural and mountainous regions. The USGS's initial report also indicated that hundreds of fatalities are possible, stating that "significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread," with debris from collapsed buildings yet to be cleared. Previous events with similar alert levels have necessitated regional or national-level responses, it added.

Details

Panic spread in Herat city, people fled homes 

According to reports, the first earthquake struck at around 11:00am (local time), triggering panic among people in Herat city. The tremors reportedly left walls cracked, plaster crumbling, and some structures completely collapsed. At least 25 people were initially injured following the quake, with one fatality reported. People also fled their houses and offices, fearing further damage and causality. Many residents of Herat claimed to have struggled to contact their family members due to disrupted network connections.

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Watch: Visuals of earthquake aftermath in Herat

Facts

Earthquake exacerbates humanitarian crisis in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Meanwhile, the earthquake exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which is already facing widespread poverty following the withdrawal of foreign aid after the Taliban regained power in 2021. Earthquakes are not uncommon in the country, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. In June last year, a 5.9-magnitude quake struck the conflict-hit province of Paktika, killing over 1,000 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless.

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