Two earthquakes measuring 6.3 magnitude were recorded near the city of Herat on Saturday.
October 7, 2023, 4:55 p.m. ET
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Severe earthquakes in western Afghanistan on Saturday killed at least 100 people and injured at least 500, according to the United Nations.
The United States Geological Survey reported two magnitude 6.3 earthquakes and several strong aftershocks near the city of Herat. One of the aftershocks had a magnitude of 5.9.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Afghanistan, the first earthquake struck around 11 a.m. local time, 40 km west of the city of Herat. This was felt in the neighboring provinces of Badghis and Farah.
Afghan residents sit in a damaged house after the earthquake in the Sarbuland village of Zendeh Jan, district of Herat province, Afghanistan, Oct. 7, 2023. Mohsen Karimi/AFP via Getty Images
“Initial estimates suggest that up to 100 people were killed … and another 500 people were injured in eight villages in Zindajan province and Herat province,” the agency said in an update, noting that “unconfirmed reports point to these Closer to 320 people.
Afghan children rest under a blanket next to damaged houses after the earthquake in Sarbuland village in Zendeh Jan district of Herat province, Afghanistan, October 7, 2023. Mohsen Karimi/AFP via Getty Images
According to the agency, about 4,200 people – about 600 families – have been affected by the disaster so far, with 465 houses reported destroyed and 135 damaged. The worst affected village was Mahal Wadakha, it said.
“Partners and local authorities expect the number of casualties to rise as search and rescue efforts continue and there are reports that some people may be trapped under collapsed buildings,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in Afghanistan.
Immediately after the disaster, the Afghan National Disaster Management Agency said at least 15 people were killed and 40 injured.
A number of houses in Herat province were completely or partially destroyed, the Afghan National Disaster Management Agency said, while search and rescue operations were underway.
Residents arrive on a street after an earthquake struck the city of Herat, Afghanistan, on October 7, 2023.Mashal/Xinhua via Newscom
The World Health Organization in Afghanistan said on social media it was sending medical supplies to hospitals and ambulances to transport victims “as deaths and injuries from the earthquake continue to be reported.”
The UN agency shared photos of healthcare workers treating patients outdoors amid the response.
People gather on the streets in Herat, Afghanistan on October 7, 2023. A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck western Afghanistan, the United States Geological Survey said, followed by four large aftershocks with epicenters near the region’s largest city. AFP via Getty Images
UNICEF Afghanistan also said it was on the ground with its UN counterparts “to assess the full impact.”
“Again, children and families in Afghanistan have been affected by a devastating earthquake, this time in the western province of Herat,” UNICEF Afghanistan said on social media.
Last year, at least 1,000 people were killed and another 1,500 injured when a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border.