The death toll from the massive 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan’s Herat and neighboring provinces has risen to 2,445, according to authorities. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to save people trapped in the rubble as the most affected area, Zanda Jan district in Herat, saw 13 villages “utterly destroyed.”
Over 9,200 individuals have been reported injured due to the quakes. The earthquake, which occurred about 40 km northwest of Herat, has disrupted communications and blocked roads, making it challenging for rescue workers to reach remote areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that at least 465 houses have been completely destroyed.
Afghanistan, located near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, frequently experiences earthquakes. In June the previous year, a 5.9 magnitude quake in Paktika province killed over 1,000 people and left thousands homeless.