Third Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan in a Week

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more. The third earthquake struck in the province of Herat, near the border with Iran. The United States Geological Survey says that the earthquake was the strongest to hit Afghanistan in decades.

A third earthquake has shaken western Afghanistan, just days after two powerful tremors caused over 1,000 casualties in the region.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this latest quake was 6.3 and occurred near the city of Herat. Moreover, it originated 6.3 kilometers (four miles) beneath the surface.

Local health authorities have confirmed one fatality and over 100 individuals are currently receiving medical attention at the regional hospital, as reported by the World Health Organization.

Also See: Sri Lanka Arrests 27 Indian Fishermen for Alleged Trespassing

Tragically, more than 90% of the victims from the previous earthquakes were women and children. As stated by the United Nations children agency, Unicef.

The USGS noted that the epicenter of this recent tremor was situated 30 kilometers northwest of Herat, Afghanistan’s third-largest city near the Iranian border.

The earthquake on the preceding Saturday struck Zindajan, a rural district approximately 40 kilometers from Herat. It resulted in the collapse of numerous vulnerable houses.

Villagers tirelessly use shovels and their bare hands to search for missing individuals.

People Are Traumatized

Yahya Kalilah, the head of the Afghanistan Programme for Médecins Sans Frontières, informed the news agency that casualties might be limited due to many people already sleeping outside in tents.

“In terms of psychology, people are panicked and traumatized,” he expressed. “People are not feeling safe. I can assure you, 100%, no one will sleep in their house.”

As the cold weather approaches, the Taliban, in power since 2021, may struggle to endure in tents for an extended period, adding to the challenges faced by the affected communities.

Afghanistan has been grappling with an economic crisis since the Taliban took control. Leading to a cessation of aid directly given to the government.

The nation is frequently struck by earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range. As it lies close to the convergence of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.

Last year in June, the province of Paktika experienced a 5.9 magnitude quake, claiming over 1,000 lives and rendering tens of thousands homeless.