Over 2000 Killed In Devastating Earthquakes In Afghanistan

KABUL — Over 2000 people are reported killed after two earthquakes shaking Herat province in Western part of Afghanistan. Over 1000 people are wounded, amid massive destruction.

According to Taliban Spokesperson, more than 2000 persons have died. However, this figure is likely to rise since it is being verified. One of the individual who is also a local Taliban officer is quoted saying that “those killed is much higher than that.”

“The number of martyred people is massive, with many still under the rubble. The Islamic Emirate is doing its best to help people but we will need help,” said the local Taliban official.

“Significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response,” indicated a preliminary United States Geological Survey (USGS) report.

Herat city located twenty five miles northwest of Afghanistan was struck with two 6.3 magnitude earthquakes. Thereafter, massive aftershocks followed. This is according to USGS report. 

Several people deserted buildings when the first quake hit almost 11 a.m. local time. According to the UN, the death toll has hit the 320 mark.  

“We were in our offices and suddenly the building started shaking, and wall plasters started to fall down and the walls got cracks, some walls and parts of the building collapsed,”  said  a-45-year-old Bashir Ahmad.

“I am not able to contact my family, network connections are disconnected. I am too worried and scared, it was horrifying,” he said.

The World Health Organization has dispatched logistics to help in the treatment of the affected. 

“We have sent medicines & medical supplies to the hospitals to support treatment of those wounded. Our warehouse is ready to deploy for additional medicines as needed,” noted the World Health Organization’s office in Afghanistan through its X account, formerly Twitter.

The local governor appealed to donors as well as pharmacies to assist the local health centers with medicine. 

“A high number of people are dead in the district as more than 10 villages are reduced to rubble. We call on the people to go and help the [affected] people in these villages,” said The local governor, Noor Ahmad Islamjar in a clip.

Herat regional health facility has had an influx of wounded people drawn across the city and nearby affected areas on Saturday evening. Several individuals are attended to outside the facility since the six hundred bed capacity hospital was already full.  

Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager