More than 2400 reported dead after fatal earthquake jolts Afghanistan

Asia-Pacific, News October 9, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

A powerful earthquake struck the tremor-prone mountainous western region of Afghanistan on October 7, 2023. The Taliban administration of Afghanistan has reported that 2445 people have died in the fatal earthquake.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the center of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake was about 53 kilometers northwest of Herat province. The earthquake in Afghanistan is among the world’s deadliest quakes this year after tremors in Turkey and Syria that killed an estimated 50,000 in February.

A spokesperson of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Disasters Janan Sayeeq reported that the death toll is about 2,445, but the number may rise as the rescue teams are still working in the remote areas for complete assessment of the situation. Sayeeq also said that 1,320 houses had been damaged or destroyed and 9,240 people had been injured.

More than 10 rescue teams arrived in the area including the Red Crescent. A Herat Health Department official said that hundreds of injured people were brought into the hospitals throughout the province, however, Afghanistan’s healthcare facilities lack the equipment and resources needed to treat the injured, resulting in more deaths.

Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban spokesperson based in Qatar, said that many people were still missing and rescue operations were underway to save people trapped under the rubble. He appealed that there was an urgent need for tents, medical, and food items in the areas hit by the disaster. He also requested the local businessmen and NGOs to come forward to help people in need.

Afghanistan devastating earthquake — *^{A view of houses damaged by an earthquake, in Herat province in Afghanistan on October 8, 2023. (Image Credit: Reuters)}*

People have been trying to remove the rubble of the fallen buildings by hand to dig out the injured and dead victims. Some survivors remain trapped under the fallen buildings that had crumbled to the ground after the powerful jolts.

Numbers remain unclear

Due to the lack of communication in the remote area and the lack of media coverage from Afghanistan, the number of dead victims remains unclear. However, based on the footage and reports from the affected area, it can be assessed that the number would increase as more rescue teams conduct their operations.

The United Nations initially gave a figure of 320 deaths. However, it later said the figure was still being verified. The death toll was reported to be 500 by Red Crescent and other rescue organizations that reached the area.

A spokesperson at the Ministry of Information and Culture in Afghanistan Abdul Wahid Rayan gave a different number saying “Besides the 2,060 dead, 1,240 people are injured and 1,320 houses are destroyed.” About 12 villages have been destroyed completely and hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris, he said as he called for urgent help from the international community.

Zenda Jan and Ghorian districts are most affected

“Unfortunately, we have lost a lot of people in the west of Herat in Zenda Jan and Ghorian districts,” a rescue worker reported from the earthquake-affected area. Rescue teams have urged the UN and other international organizations to send trained personnel with modern equipment and rescue dogs to help find those still trapped inside.

The United Nations migration agency has deployed four ambulances with doctors and psychosocial support counselors to the regional hospital. At least three mobile health teams are on their way to the Zenda Jan district, which is one of the worst affected areas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) unit in Afghanistan said it dispatched 12 ambulances to Zenda Jan to shift wounded people to hospitals.

Doctors Without Borders has set up five medical tents at Herat Regional Hospital to accommodate up to 80 patients. Authorities have treated more than 300 patients, according to the agency.