The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Afghanistan’s Herat province on Saturday, had jumped to 2,000, the foreign media reported on Sunday.
An earthquake with magnitude of 6.3 rattled western parts of Afghanistan the other day wreaking havoc upon the province of Herat where several died and thousands got injured.
Suhail Shaheen, a senior Taliban leader and spokesperson based in Qatar, confirmed the death toll has risen above 2,000, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes to hit the country in two decades.
He expressed concerns that the number might escalate further, revealing that rescue operations were underway to save people trapped under the rubble.
Herat, located 120 kilometres east of the border with Iran and considered the cultural capital of Afghanistan, bore the brunt of the disaster.
Shaheen urgently appealed for tents, medical supplies, and food items, emphasizing the pressing need for assistance.
He called on local businessmen and NGOs to step forward and help the affected communities.
Afghanistan, situated in a seismically active region near the Hindu Kush mountain range, frequently experiences earthquakes due to the complex tectonic activity involving the Eurasian and Indian plates.
Last year, the nation faced another devastating earthquake in the province of Paktika, resulting in over 1,000 casualties and leaving tens of thousands homeless.
Amidst this disaster, Pakistan extended its support to its neighbor.
The Pakistani Foreign Office expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extensive damage.
Pakistan pledged solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and assured all possible assistance for the recovery efforts. The country is actively coordinating with Afghan authorities to assess the urgent needs of the affected population.
Additionally, the head of mission at the Pakistan embassy in Afghanistan, Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani, stated that Pakistan is swiftly dispatching search and rescue teams, medicines, as well as food and shelter items to aid the victims.
Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences and prayers for the injured, emphasizing the need for collective support during this challenging time.
