Taliban Reports Increasing Death Toll After Devastating Earthquake Hits Afghanistan

In a tragic turn of events, Afghanistan has been hit by a catastrophic earthquake, claiming the lives of over 2,400 people, according to the Taliban administration. The tremors struck the western region of the country, approximately 35 km northwest of Herat city, with one quake registering a magnitude of 6.3, as confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These earthquakes rank among the deadliest globally this year, following similarly devastating quakes in Turkey and Syria that claimed an estimated 50,000 lives in February.

Source: https://english.aawsat.com/ 

In a tragic turn of events, Afghanistan has been hit by a catastrophic earthquake, claiming the lives of over 2,400 people, according to the Taliban administration. The tremors struck the western region of the country, approximately 35 km northwest of Herat city, with one quake registering a magnitude of 6.3, as confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These earthquakes rank among the deadliest globally this year, following similarly devastating quakes in Turkey and Syria that claimed an estimated 50,000 lives in February.

Janan Sayeeq, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Disasters, conveyed that the death toll has now surged to 2,445, though he revised the count of injuries to "more than 2,000" from the earlier reported figure of 9,240 injured individuals. Additionally, 1,320 houses have been either damaged or entirely destroyed, a significant increase from the initial estimate provided by the Red Crescent, which reported 500 casualties.

The affected area, bordering Iran, has seen the deployment of ten rescue teams, according to Sayeeq. Numerous casualties, primarily women and children, have been transported to various hospitals in Herat. The influx of victims has prompted the establishment of makeshift beds outside the city's main hospital to accommodate the injured.

Pictures circulating on social media depict the medieval minarets of Herat displaying visible damage, including cracks and fallen tiles. Afghanistan, nestled amidst mountains, has a history of enduring powerful earthquakes, especially in the rugged Hindukush region along its border with Pakistan.

Also Read: South African Star Rassie Van Der Dussen's Heroic Century Shines In World Cup Opener

The death toll often rises as information trickles in from remote regions, where decades of war have left infrastructure in disarray and relief efforts challenging to coordinate. Compounding the crisis, Afghanistan's healthcare system, heavily reliant on foreign aid, has been grappling with debilitating cuts since the Taliban assumed control, with a significant reduction in international assistance.

Moreover, concerns surrounding the Taliban's restrictions on women and competing global humanitarian crises have led to a reduction in financial support from donors. In August, the International Committee of the Red Cross hinted at discontinuing its financial backing for 25 Afghan hospitals due to funding constraints, though it remains uncertain whether the Herat hospital was on that list.

The earthquake has stirred panic among the residents of Herat, with aftershocks being felt throughout the city. In Herat province, there are a total of 202 public health facilities, including a major regional hospital that has received 500 casualties, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Challenges in logistics and the remote location of many health centers are hampering relief operations.

The Afghan people are now facing a dire humanitarian crisis as they grapple with the aftermath of this devastating earthquake, while international aid remains uncertain and the country's healthcare system struggles to cope.