Eyewitnesses in Herat province, Western Afghanistan, reported a powerful earthquake followed by at least five aftershocks. Local resident Abdul Shakor Samadi stated that the tremors struck the city around noon.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed two earthquakes of magnitude 6.3 that struck Western Afghanistan on Saturday. The epicenter of these tremors was situated 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) northwest of Herat city and was subsequently followed by a 5.5 magnitude aftershock, according to the USGS.
On the USGS website, a map displayed seven earthquakes in the region, including a 5.9 magnitude quake located 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) north-northwest of Herat, a pair of 6.3 magnitude earthquakes occurring 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) north-northeast of Zindah Jan, and another 6.3 magnitude earthquake 29 kilometers (18 miles) north-northeast of Zindah Jan, which is approximately 43 kilometers (26 miles) west of Herat city.
As of now, there has been no official comment from the Taliban government regarding potential casualties or damage. Telephone communication has been disrupted, making it challenging to obtain precise information from the affected areas. Social media videos depict hundreds of people on the streets outside their residences and workplaces in Herat city.
Herat province shares its border with Iran, and the earthquake was also felt in nearby provinces such as Farah and Badghis, as reported by local media.
In June 2022, a formidable earthquake struck a rugged, mountainous region in eastern Afghanistan, causing extensive damage to stone and mud-brick homes. This quake marked Afghanistan’s deadliest in two decades, resulting in the loss of at least 1,000 lives and injuring approximately 1,500 individuals.
