Afghanistan Earthquake: Death Toll Crosses 2000

The Taliban Government spokesman on Sunday confirmed that the death toll caused by the deadly earthquake in western Afghanistan on Saturday has risen to 2060.

According to Afghanistan's national disaster authority, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 has taken away the lives of dozens of people

Earlier the the United Nations reported that as many as 320 people were killed, however, later they informed that 100 people were killed and 500 were injured. It was also reported that approximately 465 houses were destroyed and 135 were damaged.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake's epicentre was about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Herat city. It was followed by three very strong aftershocks, measuring magnitude 6.3, 5.9 and 5.5, as well as lesser shocks.

A local resident was quoted saying, "All people are out of their homes, Houses, offices and shops are all empty and there are fears of more earthquakes. My family and I were inside our home, I felt the quake."

12 ambulance cars were sent to Afghanistan's Zenda Jan by the World Health Organization (WHO) to evacuate casualties to hospitals.

The UN agency took to X handle, "As deaths & casualties from the earthquake continue to be reported, teams are in hospitals assisting the treatment of wounded & assessing additional needs."

Meanwhile, telephone connections stopped working in Herat, which led to difficulty in deriving information from affected areas.

However, The Taliban asked local organizations to assist people in earthquake-hit areas by taking the injured to hospital, providing shelter for the homeless, and delivering food to survivors. Security agencies were directed to people trapped under debris.

"We ask our wealthy compatriots to give any possible cooperation and help to our afflicted brothers," the Taliban said on X.