Deadly Earthquake takes 2000 lives in Afghanistan

Tragedy strikes as a devastating earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, jolts Afghanistan’s Herat province. The toll is heart-wrenching, with 2,060 lives lost, 1,240 people injured, and 1,320 homes reduced to rubble as Earthquake takes 2000 lives in Afghanistan,” reveals Abdul Wahid Rayan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The catastrophe has left around six villages in ruins, their residents trapped beneath the debris. Urgent assistance is the need of the hour.

The seismic event, centered 40km northwest of Herat city, struck at 11 am on a fateful Saturday. Its tremors reverberated through neighboring Badghis and Farah provinces, leaving no corner untouched.

In the wake of this disaster, rescue teams have swiftly descended upon Herat province, accompanied by essential supplies such as food, water, medicines, and clothing.

Initial estimates by the UN had painted a grim picture, with around 100 lives lost and 500 injured. The damage to property was extensive, with nearly 500 houses destroyed and 135 buildings damaged.

Shocking images capture the aftermath – mounds of debris, collapsed structures, and crowds seeking refuge in the streets:

Particular areas, like Mahal Wadakah, bore the brunt, reporting at least 20 casualties. Villages including Dasht Hows, Bahadorzai, Zoryan, and Koshkak also faced severe devastation.

The fallout extends to displaced families, approximately 300 in number, seeking shelter in Herat City’s abandoned buildings.

Crisis as earthquake takes 2000 lives:

This calamity is yet another blow to Afghanistan, a nation grappling with economic turmoil, hunger, and an ongoing series of earthquakes. The country’s ability to respond to natural disasters has been crippled further since the Taliban’s ascent to power in 2021, leading to the withdrawal of international aid groups.

The freeze on approximately $7 billion of Afghanistan’s foreign reserves and the halt in international funding, following the US withdrawal, have compounded the nation’s economic woes. With two-thirds of Afghan families struggling to sustain their livelihoods, the path to recovery from such seismic events becomes even more arduous.

Afghanistan, a country accustomed to seismic activity, now faces the harsh reality of navigating these challenges with limited resources and support, making the road to recovery an uphill battle as this Earthquake takes 2000 lives in Afghanistan.

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