Just days after two significant earthquakes in western Afghanistan claimed the lives of over 1,000 people, the region was struck by another earthquake. This new quake had a magnitude of 6.3 and occurred around 05:10 local time (00:40 GMT) on Wednesday, located 28km (17 miles) north of Herat city.
Health officials have reported that more than 100 people were injured and sent to hospitals due to the quake. Many residents in the affected area were already sleeping outdoors as their homes had been destroyed in the previous quakes, adding to the ongoing challenges faced by those in the region.
Aid agencies have raised concerns about shortages of blankets, food, and other essential supplies in the affected areas.
An eyewitness in central Herat described the shock of the earthquake, saying she had been in a deep sleep due to the previous days’ stresses. She recounted running barefoot to the outskirts of the city, where many had been residing in tents since the initial earthquake.
The earthquake on Saturday had struck Zindajan, a rural district located about 40km from Herat, resulting in the destruction of entire houses that were unable to withstand the tremors. Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, as it is located near the convergence of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
