HERAT: Death toll from series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan rose sharply to more than 2,053 as rescuers scrabbled for survivors among ruins of villages razed to ground.

According to Afghan Ministry of Disaster, 9,240 people have suffered injuries as 1,329 houses destroyed. Magnitude 6.3 quake followed by eight strong aftershocks jolted hard-to-reach areas 30 kilometres northwest of provincial capital of Herat, toppling rural homes and sending panicked city dwellers surging into streets.

“Unfortunately, casualties are practically very high,” deputy government spokesman Bilal Karimi said early Sunday, as extent of damage became clear. “We are waiting to see how final figures will turn out,” he told AFP.

As night fell Saturday in Sarboland village of Zinda Jan district, an AFP reporter saw dozens of homes ruined near epicentre of quakes, which shook area for more than five hours. Men shovelled through piles of crumbled masonry as women and children waited in open, with gutted homes displaying personal belongings flapping in harsh wind.

World Health Organisation said more than 600 houses were destroyed or partially damaged across at least 12 villages in Herat province, with some 4,200 people affected. “In very first shake all houses collapsed,” said 42-year-old Bashir Ahmad.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 09 2023

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