A magnitude-6.3 earthquake followed by powerful aftershocks killed several people in western Afghanistan on Saturday, the country’s national disaster authority said. The death toll resulting from the powerful earthquakes has now reached 2,060.

Kabul: The death toll resulting from the powerful earthquakes that struck western Afghanistan has now reached 2,060, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Taliban government on Sunday. The major seismic incident marks one of the deadliest earthquakes to hit the country in the past two decades. On Saturday, a potent magnitude-6.3 earthquake, followed by significant aftershocks, claimed the lives of numerous individuals in western Afghanistan, according to the national disaster authority of the country. According to Afghanistan Ministry of Information and Culture spokesperson But Abdul Wahid Rayan the death toll from the earthquake in Herat is higher than originally reported.

As many as six villages have been obliterated, and hundreds of civilians are trapped beneath the wreckage, emphasizing the need for immediate assistance, Rayan added.

Afghanistan Earthquakes: United Nations’ preliminary death toll 

Initially, the United Nations reported a preliminary death toll of 320, but later clarified that the figure was still under verification. According to an update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, local authorities estimated around 100 fatalities and 500 injuries. The same update indicated that 465 houses had been reported as destroyed, with an additional 135 suffering damage.

Spokesperson Mohammad Abdullah Jan from the disaster authority revealed that the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks predominantly impacted four villages in the Zenda Jan district of Herat province.

Afghanistan Earthquakes: The epicenter of the powerful quakes

The United States Geological Survey reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat city. Following the main tremor, there were three powerful aftershocks recorded with magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, in addition to several smaller shocks.

Abdul Shakor Samadi, a resident of Herat city, shared that at least five substantial tremors rattled the city around noon.

Afghanistan Earthquakes: WHO extended support

The World Health Organization in the power quakes hit country stated that it dispatched as many as 12 ambulances to Zenda Jan to evacuate casualties to hospitals.

“As deaths & casualties from the earthquake continue to be reported, teams are in hospitals assisting treatment of wounded & assessing additional needs. “WHO-supported ambulances are transporting those affected, most of them women and children,” the U.N. agency said on X, (formerly Twitter).

Afghanistan Earthquakes: Japan Envoy expressed condolences 

Takashi Okada, Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan expressed his condolences on X. “Deeply grieved and saddened to learn the news of earthquake in Herat province,” he tweeted.

Afghanistan Earthquakes: Not the first deadly quake

In June 2022, a formidable earthquake rocked the rugged, mountainous terrain of eastern Afghanistan, leveling stone and mud-brick houses. This devastating quake claimed the lives of a minimum of 1,000 individuals and left approximately 1,500 injured.