Tragic Quake: 15 Dead, Dozens Injured in Afghanistan

Deadly Earthquake Strikes Western Afghanistan, Leaving 15 Dead and Dozens Injured

Herat Earthquake Tragedy: Structures Crumble, Lives Shattered

A seismic event in western Afghanistan has claimed the lives of at least 15 individuals, with 78 others sustaining injuries, according to officials. The earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the magnitude scale, originated approximately 40km from the city of Herat, near the Iranian border, at 11:00 local time (06:30 GMT), as reported by the US Geological Survey.

Numerous structures were damaged in the quake, leading to individuals being trapped under debris, as confirmed by Afghan authorities. Following the initial seismic activity, at least three powerful aftershocks added to the distress.

Witnesses recounted harrowing experiences as buildings trembled and collapsed. Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Herat, described the scene, stating, “We were in our offices and suddenly the building started shaking. Wall plasters started to fall down, and the walls got cracks; some walls and parts of the building collapsed.” Ahmad expressed concern for his family, emphasizing the disruption in network connections.

Over 70 injured individuals received treatment at the primary hospital in Herat, according to health officials. A student, Idrees Arsala, shared his terrifying ordeal, stating, “The situation was very horrible; I have never experienced such a thing.” Arsala was among the last to safely evacuate his classroom during the series of quakes.

Herat, located 120km east of the Iranian border and recognized as the cultural capital of Afghanistan, houses an estimated 1.9 million residents, as per 2019 World Bank data. The province is frequently susceptible to earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, owing to its proximity to the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

Afghanistan has a history of seismic activity, with a notable incident in June of the previous year when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the province of Paktika, claiming over 1,000 lives and rendering tens of thousands homeless.