Tag: afghanistan

Four large earthquakes measuring M_ww 6.3 each and their aftershocks affected Herat Province in western Afghanistan in early October 2023.

The first two earthquakes occurred on 7 October near the city of Herat, followed by many aftershocks. On 11 and 15 October, two other magnitude 6.3 earthquakes struck the same area. Thrust faulting was associated with these earthquakes. The United Nations estimated 1,384 people died, 1,853 others were injured and 485 remain missing following the 7 October earthquakes. The 11 October earthquake killed three people and injured at least 169. Of the injured, 153 were in Herat, 13 were from Badghis, and three were from Farah provinces. Many people were living outdoors because of damage to homes from the first two quakes when the third earthquake struck in the early morning. The governor’s office in Herat said several neighbouring districts that were badly affected by previous earthquakes had experienced “huge losses” following the 11 October shock. This earthquake destroyed all 700 houses in Chahak, a village undamaged by the previous earthquakes. The Herat–Torghundi highway was blocked by a landslide.

In Herat, damage was limited; bricks from the Akhtaruddin Castle collapsed and parts of its walls fractured. Several minarets also collapsed. Parts of rooftop of the Great Mosque of Herat fell and scattered debris into the floor; the Herat Citadel was also damaged. The earthquake on 15 October caused four deaths, 160 injuries and additional damage in the eastern districts of Herat city. Power outages also occurred in most of Herat Province. Two people were also injured in Torbat-e Jam, Iran.  The earthquakes struck Afghanistan during an ongoing humanitarian crisis following the Taliban takeover in 2021, and existing aid groups were experiencing a lack of funds prior to the disaster. Some aid agenies including UNICEF and the Red Cross appealed for donations in response to the earthquakes. Many international organizations and countries participated in rescue and relief efforts. Hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of injured and lack of proper equipment. Additional thousands were made homeless as the country enters the winter.