Devastating earthquake hits Herat, Afghanistan
A new tragic event has struck the city of Herat, in the northwest of Afghanistan. Last Sunday, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the region, killing one person and injuring nearly a hundred others. This incident follows a devastating earthquake which had already left the city in mourning a week ago.
Sunday’s earthquake, whose epicenter was located just 33 kilometers from Herat, occurred early in the morning, at 8:06 a.m. local time. According to the American Geophysics Institute (USGS), it was a shallow earthquake. Two lighter aftershocks followed shortly after.
Local authorities reacted quickly by assessing the damage and caring for the victims. At the Herat regional hospital, 93 injured were recorded, in addition to the deceased. Rescue teams are still assessing the extent of the destruction closer to the epicenter.
The population, still traumatized by the previous earthquake, continues to live in fear of further tremors. Many residents chose to sleep outside to avoid risks, while others preferred to return to their homes despite the risks. The feeling of panic and fear is palpable in the city of Herat.
In Zenda Jan, several rural villages were completely destroyed, adding another layer to the already unfolding tragedy. The tremors were followed by storms which damaged the tents sheltering the survivors, making their situation even more precarious.
Authorities were forced to release more than 528 prisoners in Herat and Badghis provinces due to the risk of prison collapse caused by the earthquakes. Most of these prisoners were at the end of their sentences.
In total, nearly 20,000 people were affected by the successive earthquakes, with a majority of women and children among the victims. This situation adds to the humanitarian crisis already present in Afghanistan, exacerbating the difficulties authorities face in providing adequate shelter.
However, it is important to emphasize that Afghanistan is a region prone to earthquakes due to its geographical position, close to the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates meet. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the country has been affected by such events, and it is essential to strengthen disaster prevention and management measures to reduce the impact on the population.
Despite the challenges facing international aid agencies in this region, continued support is crucial to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The people of Herat and other affected towns need safe shelter, adequate medical care and psychological support to recover from this series of earthquakes.
As the home of civilization for millennia, Afghanistan has always demonstrated resilience in the face of difficulties. Let us hope that this resilience manifests itself again in the reconstruction of Herat and in the care of the inhabitants affected by these tragic events.