Earthquake in HERAT, Afghanistan 6,3M

Afghanistan earthquake: At least 2000 killed and 9000 injured in 6.3 quake

At least 2000 people have been killed and 9000 injured after an earthquake hit western Afghanistan, officials say.

Earthquake in Herat, Afghanistan

Afghanistan Herat Earthquake: The major temblor was followed by five aftershocks with magnitudes of 5.5, 4.7, 6.3, 5.9 and 4.6.

People are out on the streets of Herat city after a 6.10 richter earthquake hit the region. #herat #earthquake #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/44MqBKoaM7

— Masood Shnizai (@ShnizaiM) October 7, 2023

The US Geological Survey said the 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck about 40km from the western city of Herat, close to the border with Iran, at around 11:00 local time (06:30 GMT).

A number of buildings were damaged, trapping people under rubble, Afghan officials said.

At least three powerful tremors followed the initial earthquake.

“We were in our offices and suddenly the building started shaking. Wall plasters started to fall down and the walls got cracks, some walls and parts of the building collapsed.” Herat resident Bashir Ahmad, 45, told the AFP news agency.

“I am not able to contact my family, network connections are disconnected. I am too worried and scared, it was horrifying,” he added.

Herat is located 120km east of the border with Iran and is considered to be the cultural capital of Afghanistan. An estimated 4 million people are believed to be living in the province, according to 2019 World Bank data.

The country is frequently hit by earthquakes – especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range as it lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

In June last year, the province of Paktika was hit by a 5.9 magnitude quake which killed more than 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless.

Walls collapsed’: Major Afghanistan quake, 5 aftershocks; 14 dead, 78 injured

Earthquake in Herat, Afghanistan

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit western Afghanistan killing 2000 people and injuring 9000, officials said. The death toll could rise amid reports of landslides and building collapses, they added as the United States Geological Survey said the epicentre was 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of the region’s largest city of Herat. The major temblor was followed by five aftershocks with magnitudes of 5.5, 4.7, 6.3, 5.9 and 4.6.