6.3-magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan: more than 2,500 fatalities

A powerful earthquake hit western Afghanistan, near the Iranian border, on Saturday. The earthquake was characterized by the US Geological Survey as a series of strong tremors, including magnitudes 5.5, 5.9, and 6.2. The epicenter was situated 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) northwest of Herat city.

The death toll has surpassed 2,500, an official reported on Sunday, while Khalid Zadran, a spokesperson for Kabul police, conveyed this information. Zadran also mentioned that aid teams are actively engaged in the affected area, where people still require essential provisions such as shelter and food.

Earlier, the Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority confirmed that the earthquake caused significant damage, partially or fully destroying more than 1,300 houses. The state-run Bakhtar News Agency, reported the complete destruction of approximately 12 villages in the Zinda Jan and Ghorian districts of Herat province, home to 1.9 million people. At least 465 houses have been flattened, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Rescue teams, along with local volunteers, are making strenuous efforts to pull out those who are trapped beneath the collapsed structures. Mullah Janan Saiq, a spokesperson for the Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority, had previously cautioned that the death toll could rise further due to the extensive damage caused by the tremors in northwestern Herat and Badghis provinces.

Afghanistan frequently experiences seismic activity, primarily in the Hindukush mountain range, which is located at the convergence of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. Notably, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of over 1,000 people and displaced tens of thousands in Paktika province in June of the previous year.