ISLAMABAD. A series of powerful earthquakes, including a magnitude 6.3 quake, has claimed the lives of over 2,000 people in western Afghanistan, according to a statement by a Taliban government spokesperson on Sunday. This devastating seismic event ranks as one of the deadliest earthquakes to hit the country in the past two decades.
While the exact figures provided by the spokesperson have yet to be independently verified, if confirmed, this earthquake’s toll would surpass that of a previous earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan in June 2022, claiming the lives of at least 1,000 people. The recent earthquake on Saturday, with its epicenter near Afghanistan’s fourth-largest city, Herat, posed a far more substantial threat due to its densely populated area.
The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat city. Following the initial shock, the region experienced several powerful aftershocks, with magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, as well as numerous smaller tremors.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the people of Herat came together on Sunday, attempting to rescue the trapped and injured by using their bare hands to remove debris. Survivors and victims alike were found trapped beneath the rubble of buildings that had collapsed, their faces covered in dust.
Heartbreaking videos shared online revealed the efforts of rescuers freeing a baby girl from a collapsed building, buried up to her neck in debris. A hand was seen gently cradling the baby’s torso as they carefully lifted her from the ground. It remains unclear whether the mother survived the ordeal.
Abdul Wahid Rayan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, stated on Sunday that the death toll is even higher than initially reported. Numerous villages have been entirely destroyed, and hundreds of civilians remain trapped under debris, underscoring the urgent need for assistance.
Rayan reported, “Besides the 2,060 dead, 1,240 people are injured, and 1,320 houses are completely destroyed.” In response, multiple teams have been mobilized for rescue efforts, including those from the military and nonprofit organizations such as the Red Crescent.
The United Nations migration agency dispatched four ambulances with doctors and psychosocial support counselors to the regional hospital. Additionally, three mobile health teams are en route to the Zenda Jan district, one of the hardest-hit areas.
Doctors Without Borders established five medical tents at Herat Regional Hospital to provide care for up to 80 patients. So far, authorities have treated over 300 patients, according to the organization.
Irfanullah Sharafzai, a spokesperson for the Afghan Red Crescent Society, revealed that seven teams are actively engaged in rescue operations, with additional teams arriving from eight nearby provinces. He stated, “A temporary camp has been set up for people who have lost their houses and need shelter for now. Whatever is in our capacity, we will do for our poor and needy people at this difficult time.”
Teams from these aid groups reported that the destruction near Herat was far more extensive than initially feared, with entire villages reduced to rubble.
Neighboring Pakistan expressed deep sadness over the earthquake’s impact. The Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that they are in contact with Afghan authorities to assess the urgent needs of those affected and pledged to extend all possible support to the recovery effort.
China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, expressed readiness to provide assistance through government and charitable institutions. He confirmed ongoing contact with Afghan government aid agencies to coordinate aid efforts.
Afghan cricket star Rashid Khan announced that he would donate all his Cricket World Cup fees to aid the survivors of the Herat earthquake. He also announced plans to launch a fundraising campaign to encourage support from those who can assist the people in need.
Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Takashi Okada, conveyed his condolences and deep sorrow via social media, expressing sympathy for the earthquake in Herat province.
As telephone connections in Herat remained unstable following the disaster, gathering precise details from affected areas has proven challenging. The international community and neighboring countries stand ready to offer support to help the affected regions recover from this devastating natural disaster.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
