'Buried In Their Own Houses': Almost 2,000 Killed In Powerful Afghan Earthquake

Almost 2,000 people are feared dead with many more injured after a powerful earthquake hit western Afghanistan, a government spokesperson said.

AFP

What happened?

The 6.3 magnitude quake devastated several villages as many buildings were damaged, trapping people under rubble and there were at least three powerful aftershocks.

"Unfortunately, the casualties are practically very high," deputy government spokesman Bilal Karimi said early Sunday, as the extent of the damage became clear.

Where and when?

The quake struck about 40km (25 miles) from the city of Herat western Afghanistan near the Iranian border on Saturday.

AFP

How is the situation currently?

The World Health Organization (WHO) said more than 600 houses were destroyed or partially damaged. Twelve villages in Zinda Jan and Ghoryan districts have been completely destroyed, ANI quoted officials as saying.

As night fell Saturday in Sarboland village of Zinda Jan district, an AFP reporter saw dozens of homes ruined near the epicentre of the quakes, which shook the area for more than five hours.

In Herat city, residents fled their homes and schools, hospitals and offices evacuated when the first quake was felt. There were few reports of casualties in the metropolitan area, however.

AFP

"In the very first shake all the houses collapsed," said 42-year-old Bashir Ahmad. "Those who were inside the houses were buried," he said. "There are families we have heard no news from."

"We came home and saw that actually there was nothing left. Everything had turned to sand," said the 32-year-old, adding that some 30 bodies had been recovered.

In June 2022, Afghanistan's Paktika province was rattled by a tremor of 5.9 magnitude, killing more than 1,000 people, injuring about 1,500 and damaging hundreds of houses.

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