The fourth 6.3-magnitude earthquake to strike Afghanistan in less than a week
One of the most devastating earthquakes in recent memory struck Afghanistan on October 7, flattening entire communities in the province of Herat.
In Islamabad. Just over a week after deadly quakes and aftershocks that completely destroyed entire villages in the same province, a strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck western Afghanistan.
The epicenter of the most recent earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, was located 5 miles below the surface and roughly 20 miles from Herat, the province seat. The agency stated in a statement that it was the fourth recent earthquake of that magnitude to occur in the region, following two on October 7 and one on October 11.
According to Save the Children, the most recent earthquake resulted in four fatalities and 153 injuries that were transported to Herat Regional Hospital. The entire Rabat Sangi district’s Baloch neighborhood has collapsed. The humanitarian organization claims that several villages have been completely devastated. Less fatalities have been reported by the authorities.
A 42-year-old inhabitant of Herat city named Sayed Kazim Rafiqi claimed to have never witnessed such devastation, with the majority of homes being destroyed and “people terrified.” In order to provide the hospital with much-needed blood, Rafiqi and others went there.
We have to assist in any manner that we can, he said.
One of the most severe earthquakes in the nation’s recent history, the quakes on October 7 completely demolished towns near Herat.
According to U.N. officials, more than 90% of those slain a week ago were women and children.
More than 2,000 people were murdered across the region, according to Taliban officials, in the previous quakes. The majority of injuries and property damage happened in the Zenda Jan district, which was the epicenter.
Numerous aftershocks, the original quake, and the third quake, measuring 6.3 on Wednesday, all leveled towns and destroyed hundreds of mud-brick structures that could not withstand such energy. Schools, medical institutions, and other village buildings were all destroyed.
After the destruction, the settlements on the arid hills were largely reduced to ruins and funerals. In many areas, volunteers who came to sift the debris and excavate mass graves outnumber the remaining locals, who are having to cope with the loss of many family members.