Afghanistan Earthquakes Claim Over 2,000 Lives: Ongoing Crisis Unfolds
Tragedy Strikes: More Than 2,000 Fatalities and Counting
In a devastating turn of events, Afghanistan has been struck by a series of powerful earthquakes, resulting in a staggering loss of over 2,000 lives and leaving 9,240 individuals injured. This unfolding humanitarian crisis has sent shockwaves through the nation, with authorities bracing for the death toll to rise even further.
A Grim Reality: The Impact of the Quakes
Initially reported as causing approximately 120 casualties, the earthquake’s true scale of devastation soon became apparent. According to deputy government spokesman Bilal Karimi, “Unfortunately, the casualties are practically very high,” underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The disaster’s aftermath has seen the flattening of 1,328 houses, a dire consequence of eight powerful aftershocks following the initial magnitude 6.3 earthquake. This seismic turmoil emanated from a location 30 kilometers northwest of Herat, driving residents into the streets in fear for their safety.
A Race Against Time: Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue efforts are currently underway in affected areas, with authorities working tirelessly to locate survivors and provide aid. However, as night fell in Sarboland village of Zinda Jan district, the scale of destruction became painfully evident. Dozens of homes lay in ruins near the epicenter of the quakes, leaving families displaced and communities shattered.
Men labored to clear piles of crumbled masonry, while women and children sought refuge in the open, their homes reduced to rubble. A government official confirmed that 1,329 homes were obliterated across the affected regions, further exacerbating the crisis.
WHO’s Alarming Report: A Bleak Outlook
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported extensive damage, with more than 600 houses either destroyed or partially damaged across at least 12 villages in Herat province alone, affecting 4,200 individuals. The organization issued a sobering statement, warning that “the number of casualties is expected to rise as search and rescue operations are ongoing.”
In Herat city, residents hastily abandoned their homes, and institutions such as schools, hospitals, and offices were evacuated at the first tremor. Fortunately, there were relatively few reports of casualties in the metropolitan area.
A Nation in Crisis
This seismic catastrophe compounds the challenges already faced by Afghanistan, grappling with a dire humanitarian crisis. The nation has seen a significant withdrawal of foreign aid following the return of the Taliban to power in 2021.
Herat province, with a population of 1.9 million situated on Iran’s border, has been severely impacted by drought, intensifying the suffering of numerous agricultural communities.
Afghanistan has long been susceptible to earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range. This recent disaster echoes a tragic event in June when a 5.9-magnitude quake claimed the lives of over 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless in the impoverished province of Paktika. It was the deadliest earthquake in Afghanistan in nearly a quarter of a century.
As the nation grapples with this new catastrophe, the resilience and unity of its people will be tested once more in the face of adversity.
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