Another 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Afghanistan

Another 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Afghanistan

Asif Iqbal | October 11, 2023 | 09:13 AM IST | Afghanistan, Earthquake | Follow on Google News

Another 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Afghanistan. Pic/AP

Unforeseen Disaster Strikes

The resilient people of western Afghanistan have been hit with another devastating earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, further exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. The latest quake struck approximately 28 kilometers (17 miles) outside the capital of Herat province, Herat city, and reached a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Aftershocks and Continued Suffering

In a cruel twist of fate, this earthquake followed less than a week after a prior tremor claimed the lives of more than 2,000 individuals and reduced entire villages to rubble. The epicenter of the earlier earthquake was located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of the provincial capital, unleashing a series of powerful aftershocks, including another 6.3 magnitude quake on Saturday.

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Ongoing Crisis and Scarce Information

Taliban officials initially reported that over 2,000 lives were lost due to the earlier earthquakes, but they did not provide a detailed breakdown of casualties. In the wake of this most recent earthquake, information regarding the extent of damage was not immediately available. The situation remains dire, with little left of the villages in the dusty hills besides the remnants of buildings and the somber echoes of funerals.

Communities United in Grief and Recovery Efforts

In the village of Naib Rafi, which was once home to around 2,500 residents, survivors described a grim reality where few remained alive, except for those fortunate enough to be outdoors when the earthquake struck. These survivors, alongside dedicated volunteers, spent the entire day using excavators to dig mass graves for the victims.On a desolate field in the district of Zinda Jan, a bulldozer diligently removed piles of earth to make space for a long row of graves. The heart-wrenching process of searching for family members in the debris of destroyed homes and laying them to rest in nearby graves underlines the profound tragedy that has befallen this region.

Building from the Ashes

The extent of the destruction is staggering, with nearly 2,000 houses in 20 villages reduced to ruins. The area affected by these earthquakes faces dire circumstances, as it has just one government-run hospital to serve the healthcare needs of the suffering population.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.