Afghanistan earthquakes death toll spikes to 2,053
Eight powerful aftershocks from the magnitude 6.3 earthquake shook the region
Afghanistan earthquakes death toll spiked to 2,053 while 9,240 people have been injured, a government spokesperson confirmed to Reuters on Sunday.
Eight powerful aftershocks from the magnitude 6.3 earthquake shook the region 30 kilometers northwest of Herat and terrified city people to flee into the streets.
The quakes hit 35 km (20 miles) northwest of the city of Herat, with one measuring 6.3 magnitude, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Dozens of homes were razed to the ground near the epicenter of the quakes, which shook the area for more than five hours, AFP reported.
AFGHANISTAN, HERAT | VIDEO
Mortal earthquake hit Afghanistan's Herat province.
Death toll rises to 1000, but no aid sent there yet.#Afghanistan #earthquakes #Earthquick #AfghanistanEarthquake #Herat #Kabul pic.twitter.com/PhFGmYcq3P— HADIA News (@HADIANews) October 7, 2023
Unseen Video Footage of Afghanistan Earthquake#AfghanistanEarthquake #Pray4Herat #Afghanistan #earthquakes #Earthquick #AfghanistanEarthquake #Herat #Kabul pic.twitter.com/vGgSQl8rXn
— Shadab Javed (@JShadab1) October 7, 2023
Previously, the death toll from the earthquakes, which was reported to be 120, is expected to rise as rescue operations are still underway in the affected areas.
The deputy government spokesman Bilal Karimi said early Sunday “Unfortunately, the casualties are practically very high.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported more than 600 houses destroyed or partially damaged across at least 12 villages in Herat province, affecting 4,200, according to AFP.
Mullah Janan Sayeeq, the 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,” Dr. Danish said.
Pakistan has expressed sadness over the loss of precious lives in the devastating earthquakes that hit western Afghanistan on Saturday.
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.
Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also 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.
Deeply grieved to learn of the deaths and injuries caused by a powerful earthquake that struck western Afghanistan. My heartfelt condolences are with the bereaved families! I also pray for the early recovery of the injured.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 8, 2023
Afghanistan already suffering in the grip of a dire humanitarian crisis, is frequently hit by earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range.
In June, a 5.9-magnitude quake killed over 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless in the province of Paktika, the deadliest in Afghanistan in nearly a quarter of a century.
