Over 2,000 Lives Lost in Devastating Earthquake in Afghanistan, Urgent Aid Needed

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: On October 8, 2023, in the Herat province of Afghanistan, a man is seen engaged in post-earthquake cleanup efforts in the Zenda Jan district, as captured by the Associated Press (AP).

On October 7, western Afghanistan was struck by a powerful earthquake, leaving over 2,000 people dead and numerous homes flattened. This tragic incident marks one of the deadliest earthquakes to hit the region in the past two decades, according to a spokesperson from the Taliban.
The catastrophe unfolded on Saturday when a formidable 6.3 magnitude earthquake, followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, rocked western Afghanistan. The country's national disaster authority reported hundreds of casualties in the wake of this seismic disaster.
Abdul Wahid Rayan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture in Afghanistan, revealed that the death toll in the Herat region, where the epicenter of the earthquake was located, is considerably higher than originally reported. He disclosed that approximately six villages have been completely obliterated, with hundreds of civilians tragically buried under the rubble. In the face of this dire situation, Rayan made an urgent plea for assistance.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released an update stating that 465 houses have been destroyed, and an additional 135 have suffered significant damage. The UN warned that the number of casualties could rise as search and rescue operations continue, with reports suggesting that some individuals may still be trapped beneath collapsed structures.
According to Mohammad Abdullah Jan, spokesperson for the disaster authority, the Zenda Jan district in Herat province bore the brunt of the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. The United States Geological Survey reported that the epicenter of the quake was approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Herat city. Following the initial shock, three strong aftershocks measuring magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, as well as numerous smaller tremors, rattled the region.
Abdul Shakor Samadi, a resident of Herat city, described the chaotic scene, saying, "All people are out of their homes. Houses, offices, and shops are all empty, and there are fears of more earthquakes." Like many others, Samadi recounted how his family fled their home when the earthquake struck.
The World Health Organization in Afghanistan immediately dispatched 12 ambulance cars to Zenda Jan to evacuate casualties to nearby hospitals. They are also assisting with medical treatment and assessing additional needs for the wounded. Most of those affected, especially women and children, are being transported by WHO-supported ambulances.
The earthquake disrupted telephone connections in Herat, making gathering information from the affected areas challenging. Videos circulating on social media depicted hundreds of people gathered in the streets outside their homes and offices in Herat city, seeking refuge from the ongoing tremors.
Herat province shares a border with Iran, with an estimated 1.9 million people residing in it, and reports indicate that the earthquake was felt in nearby Afghan provinces such as Farah and Badghis.  
Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban-appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, expressed his condolences to the victims in Herat and Badghis. The Taliban swiftly called upon local organizations to provide immediate assistance in the affected areas. Their appeal includes aiding the injured, providing shelter for those left homeless, and delivering essential food supplies to survivors. Additionally, they urged security agencies to mobilize all available resources to rescue people trapped under the debris.
Afghanistan is no stranger to seismic activity, frequently experiencing earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range near the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. Last year, in June, the province of Paktika was hit by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake, claiming more than 1,000 lives and leaving tens of thousands of people homeless.
As the country grapples with this tragic earthquake, the international community and neighboring nations are closely monitoring the situation, ready to extend a helping hand to alleviate the suffering of the affected people. In the wake of this catastrophe, the resilience and unity of the Afghan people have become a beacon of hope as they face this immense challenge together.

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