A devastating earthquake has struck Afghanistan, resulting in a tragic loss of life and widespread damage.
Gatekeepers News reports according to Mullah Janan Sayeeq, a spokesperson for the ministry of disasters, the earthquake has claimed the lives of at least 2,053 people and left over 9,240 others injured.
Additionally, the disaster has damaged or destroyed 1,329 houses.
The earthquake’s epicenter was reported to be 35 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the city of Herat. One of the quakes had a magnitude of 6.3, and it has had a profound impact on the region.
Initially, the United Nations had provided a preliminary figure of 320 deaths, but they later stated that this number was still being verified. In an update, the UN reported that 465 houses had been destroyed, with an additional 135 damaged.
They also noted that the number of casualties was likely to rise as search and rescue operations continued, with fears that some individuals may still be trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
A health department official revealed that more than 200 bodies, primarily women and children, have been transported to various locations, including military bases and hospitals.
The earthquake led to the destruction of several properties and at the time, it was described as the deadliest to hit Afghanistan in two decades.
In 2022, at least 1,000 people were confirmed dead after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake erupted in Afghanistan.
Another 1,500 were injured in the disaster which hit the south-eastern city of Khost.
