the heart-wrenching aftermath of the devastating earthquake in western Afghanistan, near the Iranian border. Hundreds are feared dead and thousands injured as rescue teams work tirelessly amid crumbling villages. Get the latest updates on this tragic event and the humanitarian response.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a powerful earthquake has wreaked havoc in western Afghanistan, near the Iranian border, leaving hundreds of people feared dead and thousands injured. As information continues to pour in from remote areas, the death toll is anticipated to rise, with some sources suggesting it could surpass a staggering 2,000 casualties.
Earthquake
The seismic event, registering at a magnitude of 6.3, struck with devastating force, unleashing its fury upon at least 12 villages in the vicinity of the city of Herat last Saturday. The catastrophe unfolded with terrifying aftershocks, causing buildings to crumble and trapping residents in a nightmarish ordeal.
Amid the chaos, heroic rescue teams labored tirelessly throughout the night, desperately searching for survivors buried beneath the rubble. However, the scale of the disaster soon overwhelmed the limited medical facilities in Afghanistan, leaving hospitals struggling to attend to the injured. To address this crisis, the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations swiftly mobilized emergency supplies to provide aid.
The epicenter of this catastrophic earthquake was located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat, striking at around 11:00 local time (06:30 GMT) on that fateful Saturday. The worst-hit areas were remote communities characterized by fragile mud structures, which crumbled to the ground during the initial tremors.
Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Herat whose family resides in one of the affected villages, vividly recounted the horror: “In the very first shake, all the houses collapsed. Those who were inside the houses were buried. There are families we have heard no news from.” The situation remains dire, with countless lives hanging in the balance.
Amidst the chaos, the Taliban’s public health minister has made his way to Herat to assess the full extent of the disaster. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that at least 465 houses have been flattened, leaving countless families without shelter.
Heart-wrenching scenes have emerged from Herat Central Hospital, where casualties have overwhelmed the medical staff. Patients are seen connected to intravenous drips while being treated outside the main hospital building—a testament to the urgent demand for emergency care. In Herat’s Injil district, roads are blocked by debris, hindering rescue efforts and amplifying the scale of the catastrophe.
Describing the terrifying experience, student Idrees Arsala shared, “The situation was very horrible; I have never experienced such a thing.” He narrowly escaped from his classroom as the tremors began, leaving behind a school forever changed by the earthquake’s devastation.
Herat, often regarded as the cultural heart of Afghanistan, is located just 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of the Iranian border and is home to an estimated 1.9 million people. Afghanistan is no stranger to seismic activity, with frequent earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, due to its proximity to the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
This heartbreaking tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the immense challenges faced by the resilient Afghan people, who continue to endure adversity with unwavering courage and strength. In the wake of this disaster, the international community stands united in providing support and assistance to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this catastrophic earthquake.
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