Thousands dead and injured in Afghanistan earthquake
Update: Afghan officials have said that over 2,000 people have died in the western part of the country following Saturday's earthquake, BBC reports.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Disaster Management said that over 9,000 people have been injured. At least 12 villages in Herat province have been destroyed. Rescue teams worked overnight to search for survivors trapped under rubble.
Original story:
Strong earthquakes in Afghanistan kill 500, injure thousands
Erfanullah Sharafzoi, a spokesman for the Red Crescent, said on Sunday that the strong earthquakes in Afghanistan have killed 500 people, Reuters reports.
According to Radio Free Europe, many buildings were damaged and people were trapped under rubble. The epicentre of the initial earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.3, was 40 km northwest of the largest city in the region, Herat. This was followed, eight minutes later, by aftershock with a magnitude of 5.5, reported the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Over half an hour later, there was a new earthquake of 6.3, and after 20 minutes, another one, with a moment magnitude of 5.9.
All of these earthquakes were shallow, occurring at depths between 7.7 km and 14 kilometres, hence their devastating impact.
It all started on Saturday morning, around 11:00 local time, and the terror lasted for over an hour. In total, there were seven earthquakes. Many residents of Herat fled the buildings in the city and landslides and people trapped under collapsed buildings were reported.
International aid is being mobilised to help the victims of the earthquake. The United Nations has said that it is sending emergency supplies to the affected areas.
The earthquake comes at a time when Afghanistan is already facing a humanitarian crisis. The country is in the grip of a severe drought and the economy is in shambles following the withdrawal of US troops last year.
The Taliban government has appealed for international aid to help the victims of the earthquake.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it is clear that the earthquake has caused widespread devastation.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
