A powerful earthquake struck Herat, a province in northwestern Afghanistan, leading to a tragic toll of nearly 3,000 casualties and leaving over 10,000 injured, according to the Afghan news agency Khama Press. This devastating earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, occurred on Saturday morning and had its epicenter located 40 kilometers northwest of Herat city.
Reports suggest that the number of victims continues to rise, underscoring the severity of the situation. The Afghan Red Crescent Society has reported the destruction of 12 villages in Herat province, including Zinda Jan and Ghorian.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government, stated that the earthquake was followed by eight strong aftershocks. He revealed that a total of 1,320 homes had been completely destroyed.
Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that more than 600 homes were either destroyed or partially damaged in at least 12 villages in Herat province, near the Iranian border. In total, around 4,200 individuals have been affected by the earthquake in various ways.
At a press conference, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Disaster Management, Molawi Janan Sayeq, shared the latest figures on the painful earthquake that struck Zinda Jan district in Herat province. The number of injuries has reached 9,240 people.
Sayeq also emphasized that ongoing rescue and relief efforts are underway. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly throughout the night to locate survivors trapped under the debris. Aid, including medical supplies, food, drinking water, tents, and other essential relief items, has been delivered to the disaster site.
The Ministry of Disaster Management has entrusted the coordination of disaster relief efforts in Herat province to the Herat Provincial Disaster Management Committee. This collaboration includes various institutions and humanitarian organizations operating in the field, pooling their resources to provide necessary assistance to the victims of this tragic incident.
