Afghanistan earthquakes kill 2,053, Taliban say, as death toll spikes

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Afghanistan earthquakes kill 2,053, Taliban say, as death toll spikes​

Reuters
October 8, 2023

People injured in the earthquake are being treated by doctors in Afghanistan. — Photo courtesy: UnicefAfg/X

Powerful earthquakes in Afghanistan have killed more than 2,000 people and injured more than 9,000, the Taliban administration said on Sunday, in the deadliest tremors in years in the quake-prone mountainous country.

Amid the confusion, the death toll from Saturday’s quakes spiked from 500 reported on Sunday morning by a Red Crescent spokesperson and 16 from Saturday night.

The quakes hit 35 km (20 miles) northwest of the city of Herat, with one measuring 6.3 magnitude, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

Mullah Janan Sayeeq, spokesman for the Ministry of Disasters, told Reuters that 2,053 people were dead, 9,240 injured and 1,329 houses damaged or destroyed.

More than 200 dead had been brought to different hospitals, a Herat health department official who identified himself as Dr Danish told Reuters, adding most of them were women and children.

Bodies had been “taken to several places — military bases, hospitals,” Danish said.

The quakes caused panic in Herat, resident Naseema said on Saturday.

“People left their houses, we all are on the streets,” she wrote in a text message to Reuters, adding that the city was feeling follow-on tremors.

Herat — 120 kilometres east of the border with Iran — is considered the cultural capital of Afghanistan.

It is the capital of Herat province, which is home to an estimated population of 1.9 million, according to 2019 World Bank data.

Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range, which lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

In June last year, more than 1,000 people were killed, and tens of thousands rendered homeless after a 5.9-magnitude quake — the deadliest in Afghanistan in nearly a quarter of a century — struck the impoverished province of Paktika.

Afghanistan is already in the grip of a grinding humanitarian crisis, following the widespread withdrawal of foreign aid since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Pakistan offers support​

The Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday said that Pakistan was deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake in the western regions of Afghanistan that resulted in the tragic loss of life and widespread damage to property.

“We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and pray for the early and complete recovery of the injured,” the statement added.

The FO said Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with “our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan” during this difficult time, adding that it will extend all possible support to the recovery effort.

“We are in contact with the Afghan authorities to get a first-hand assessment of the urgent needs of those affected by the earthquake,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, ex-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was deeply grieved to learn about the deaths and injuries caused by the earthquake in Afghanistan.

“My heartfelt condolences are with the bereaved families! I also pray for the early recovery of the injured,” he said.

Afghanistan earthquakes kill 2,053, Taliban say, as death toll spikes

Disaster Ministry spokesman says 9,240 injured and 1,329 houses damaged or destroyed.

www.dawn.com

 

[ghazi52]

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Another earthquake has hit western Afghanistan just days after two large quakes in the same region killed more than 1,000 people.

The new 6.3 magnitude quake struck at around 05:10 local time (00:40 GMT) on Wednesday, 28km (17 miles) north of the city of Herat.

More than 100 were injured and sent to hospital, health officials said.

The wider impact is not yet clear, but many were sleeping in the open after their homes were destroyed on Saturday.

Aid agencies have said there is also a shortage of blankets, food and other supplies.

An eyewitness in central Herat, where some houses still stand, said she woke up screaming and ran out of her home.

"I was in the deepest sleep because I hadn't slept in the days before," she told the BBC.
"I have never felt so close to death," she said, adding that she ran barefoot to the outskirts of the city, where many have been sleeping in tents since the first quake.

Saturday morning's earthquake hit Zindajan, a rural district some 40km from Herat.
Images from the villages show entire houses, which were too fragile to withstand the tremors, reduced to rubble.

Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes - especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range as it lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

 

[El Sidd]

Pakistani authorities and charities must come forward and help establish contact with the Afghan government for much needed relief.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to our sisters and brothers in Afghanistan