A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck western Afghanistan on Saturday, causing widespread damage and casualties. The quake, which was felt across the region, killed at least 14 people and injured 78 others, according to an official.
Mohammad Taleb Shahid, the public health director of Herat province, told AFP that the death toll and the number of wounded could rise as rescue teams were searching for survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
“These are the numbers that have been brought to the central hospital so far, but this is not the final figure,” he said. “We have information that people are buried under rubble.”
The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Herat city, near the border with Iran, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) and was followed by several aftershocks.
The earthquake damaged many houses, mosques, schools, and other buildings in Herat and neighboring provinces. It also disrupted power and communication lines and triggered landslides in some areas.
Many people ran out of their homes in panic as the ground shook violently. Some of them were injured by falling objects or debris.
“I was sleeping when the quake hit. It was so strong that I fell off my bed. I ran outside with my family and saw many people screaming and crying,” said Ahmad, a resident of Herat city.
The Afghan government said it was sending emergency aid and relief teams to the affected areas. It also urged people to stay calm and follow safety instructions.
The earthquake was also felt in neighboring countries, such as Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. However, no major damage or casualties were reported from these countries.
