A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale has wreaked havoc in western Afghanistan, with the latest reports confirming at least 20 fatalities and approximately 150 people injured.
The seismic event struck the Herat province region, sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets as buildings crumbled and dust clouds enveloped the area. Rescue teams are working tirelessly through the rubble in a desperate race against time to find survivors.
Immediate Aftermath and Response
Local hospitals have been overwhelmed with casualties as medical staff struggle to cope with the influx of injured victims. Emergency services from neighbouring provinces have been mobilised to assist with the rescue effort.
"The situation is critical," reported one emergency worker on the scene. "We're dealing with multiple collapsed structures and many people still trapped beneath the debris."
Regional Seismic Activity
Afghanistan sits in a seismically active region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. This geological reality makes the country particularly vulnerable to earthquakes of this magnitude.
The affected area, located in the country's western territories, has experienced several significant tremors in recent years, though today's event ranks among the most destructive in recent memory.
International Aid Mobilised
International aid organisations have begun coordinating relief efforts, with several countries pledging immediate assistance. The United Nations and Red Crescent societies are deploying emergency teams to the region.
Medical supplies, temporary shelter, and search equipment are being rapidly dispatched to the hardest-hit communities as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.
