For more on this tragic event, watch the video for a firsthand look at the devastation caused by this powerful earthquake. Viewer discretion is advised as the footage may be distressing.
In a devastating turn of events, another powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck northwestern Afghanistan on Wednesday, as reported by the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ). The quake rattled the region at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), sending shockwaves of fear and destruction.
This latest tremor follows a series of seismic events that occurred just days ago northwest of the city of Herat. The Saturday quake, with a magnitude of 6.3, claimed the lives of over 2,000 people and reduced thousands of homes to rubble. The casualties from this catastrophic event soared to over 4,000, as confirmed by Mullah Saiq, spokesperson for Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA). Approximately 2,000 houses in 20 villages have been completely demolished, leaving countless families homeless and desperate for aid.
The international community has swiftly responded to this humanitarian crisis. The United Nations’ humanitarian office has pledged a substantial $5 million in assistance for the quake response, recognizing the urgent need for medical, food, and shelter aid. Afghanistan’s healthcare system, already strained and heavily reliant on foreign aid, faces additional challenges due to the recent earthquakes and the unstable political situation in the country. As temperatures drop, survivors are in dire need of proper shelter and warmth, further exacerbating the urgency of the situation.
This recent earthquake ranks among the deadliest in the world this year, comparable to the devastating quakes that struck Turkey and Syria, claiming the lives of approximately 50,000 people. The Afghan people, already grappling with political instability, now face a daunting battle for survival and recovery in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
