Mass Casualties in Afghanistan Following Earthquake Disaster
In the early hours of October 7, 2023, a devastating earthquake struck Eastern Afghanistan, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the initial earthquake had a magnitude of 6.0 and occurred at a depth of eight kilometers near the border with Pakistan.
The Taliban has announced that over 800 people have lost their lives, and more than 2,800 have been injured in the disaster. The United Nations has reported that the series of earthquakes resulted in over 1,500 deaths.
Iran's government has offered swift support for relief and rescue efforts in the affected areas. Tehran is ready to immediately assist, according to a statement from its ministry. Similarly, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences for the earthquake, stating that his thoughts are with the victims and their families.
Residents in the affected regions are providing initial emergency assistance, but many more people were injured, and entire villages have been destroyed. Given the decades-long conflict and often poor construction, many houses in Afghanistan are not very stable, making them vulnerable to earthquakes.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is concerned about the additional strain this disaster will put on the entire humanitarian response in Afghanistan. Save the Children will send more health teams to the most affected areas of Kunar province, while Caritas reported destruction in hard-to-reach areas.
Before the earthquake, heavy rains and flooding made many mountainous regions inaccessible, further complicating relief efforts. Many people are still trapped under rubble, and the initial earthquake was followed by several aftershocks.
Earthquakes are common in the region where the Arabian, Indian, and Eurasian plates converge. In 2022, over 1,000 people died in Afghanistan after an earthquake, according to Taliban figures. The name of the state where the last recorded earthquake series occurred, causing more than 1,500 deaths and many injuries, is Afghanistan.
A resident described their desperate situation, saying "Our homes are destroyed, and we need all the help people can offer." The Taliban spokesman Sabihullah Mujahid made this announcement at a press conference, expressing their condolences and urging international aid.
The series of earthquakes on October 7, 2023, in Afghanistan has highlighted the country's lack of resources to cope with such disasters. Afghanistan needs immediate international support to provide relief and rescue efforts, as well as long-term assistance to rebuild and recover from this devastating event.
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