AT LEAST 15 people have died and 40 are injured following earthquakes in Afghanistan.
Two 6.3-magnitude quakes hit western Afghanistan on Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey.
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It is understood the epicentre was about 25 miles northwest of the city of Herat and was followed by a 5.5-magnitude aftershock.
A spokesperson for Afghanistan’s ministry of disaster management explained the figures were based on early reports from the Zinda Jan district of Herat province.
Herat city resident Abdul Shakor Samadi said: “All people are out of their homes. Houses, offices and shops are all empty and there are fears of more earthquakes.
“Me and my family were inside our home, I felt the quake.”
He added his family ran outside and were afraid to go back in.
Images on social media show the aftermath of the earthquakes, including broken parts of the famous Masjid Jami mosque.
Former Minister of Commerce and Industry of Afghanistan Nisar Ahmad Ghoryani wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I am deeply grieved by the #earthquake that shook our country, especially #Herat province, where four of our compatriots lost their lives and 100 were wounded.
“I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
WHO Afghanistan said 12 ambulance cars were re-directed to Herat’s Zindah Jan district, believed to be the epicentre, to help evacuate causalities and transport them to hospital.
They stated: “@WHO trauma team is on alert and they are working with trauma doctors at Herat Regional Hospital.”
