Afghanistan Earthquake Death
“In the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck western Afghanistan, devastating villages and claiming over 2,000 lives, international aid organizations have rushed to help the affected region.”
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Tragedy Strikes Western Afghanistan as Powerful Earthquake Claims Over 2,000 Lives
In a devastating turn of events, western Afghanistan has been hit by a catastrophic earthquake, resulting in the loss of more than 2,000 lives, according to a statement by the Taliban on Sunday. This calamity comes at a time when the nation is already grappling with a deep economic crisis.
The earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, struck on Saturday, approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Herat city, situated in the western Herat province – Afghanistan’s third-largest city.
Zabiullah Mojahid, the Taliban spokesperson, confirmed that the earthquake had claimed the lives of 2,053 people, while another 1,240 individuals sustained injuries, and approximately 1,320 houses were either partially or completely destroyed. There are concerns that the death toll may rise even further as search and rescue efforts continue.
Rescue teams swiftly arrived in the Herat province, and essential supplies such as food, water, medicines, and clothing were dispatched to the affected area, as stated by Mojahid.
The initial quake was also felt in neighboring provinces, including Badghis and Farah, and was followed by numerous aftershocks.
Earlier assessments from the United Nations had initially estimated a lower casualty count of around 100 deaths and 500 injuries. Reports indicated that nearly 500 houses were destroyed, and 135 buildings sustained damage, as reported by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA stated, “In total, 4,200 people (600 families) are assessed to have been affected to date.”
Heart-wrenching images displayed massive piles of debris and rubble, with survivors seeking refuge in the streets for safety.
“In the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck western Afghanistan, devastating villages and claiming over 2,000 lives, international aid organizations have rushed to help the affected region,” announced relief efforts.
The UN noted that “Mahal Wadakah” appeared to be the worst-hit village, with at least 20 fatalities. Other severely impacted areas included Dasht Hows, Bahadorzai, Zoryan, and Koshkak.
“Additionally, an estimated 300 families (around 2,100 people) are reported to have been displaced to Herat City, where they are living in abandoned buildings,” OCHA added.
Afghanistan has been plagued by a series of destructive earthquakes in recent times, compounding the ongoing economic crisis and widespread hunger. These natural disasters have resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives and the displacement of countless others.
Afghanistan has long been one of the most impoverished countries in Asia and has endured decades of conflict. However, its ability to respond to natural disasters has been further strained since the Taliban took control in 2021 following the tumultuous US withdrawal, which prompted many international aid organizations to withdraw their support.
Furthermore, Washington and its allies froze approximately $7 billion of Afghanistan’s foreign reserves and cut off international funding, intensifying the economic challenges in a nation heavily reliant on aid.
Last week, the World Bank issued a warning that two-thirds of Afghan families are currently facing “significant challenges in maintaining their livelihoods,” making it even more difficult for Afghans to recover from earthquakes, which are a recurring occurrence in a country frequently affected by seismic activity.
In March, a deadly earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan, forcing residents to flee their homes as entire buildings crumbled and devastating landslides occurred. The tremors were felt in major Pakistani cities and even as far away as India’s capital, New Delhi.
In June of the previous year, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake in the eastern provinces of Paktika and Khost, bordering Pakistan, claimed the lives of over a thousand people and prompted a massive effort by aid groups to reach victims and survivors in areas with poor infrastructure. This earthquake coincided with heavy monsoon rains and winds, further impeding search and rescue operations and helicopter travel.
Finally, on January 17, 2022, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck Badghis, another western province near Herat, bordering Turkmenistan, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 people and reducing hundreds of brick homes to rubble.
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