• Source:JND
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Afghanistan Earthquake: Multiple earthquakes struck western Afghanistan on Saturday, with the first and largest at a magnitude of 6.3, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, as quoted by news agency Reuters. The subsequent quakes had magnitudes including 5.5, 4.7, and 5.9, the latter being 35 km (20 miles) northwest of the city of Herat. According to news agency AP, the United Nations gave a preliminary figure of 320 dead but later said the figure was still being verified. Local authorities gave an estimate of 100 people killed and 500 injured, according to the same update from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Earlier, the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the initial earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2.

The epicentre was 40 kilometres (24.8 miles) northwest of the city of Herat and was followed by an aftershock with a 5.5 magnitude, the USGS reported.

A map posted on the USGS website indicates seven earthquakes in the region, including a magnitude 5.9 earthquake 35 kilometres (21.7 miles) north-northwest of Herat, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake 33 kilometres (20.5 miles) north-northeast of Zindah Jan and another 6.3 magnitude earthquake 29 kilometres (18 miles) north-northeast Zindah Jan, which is about 43 kilometres (26 miles) west of Herat city.

“All people are out of their homes," Samadi said. “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," Samadi said, adding that his family began shouting and ran outside and are afraid to go back in.

In June 2022, a powerful earthquake struck a rugged, mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan, flattening stone and mud-brick homes.

(With input from agencies)