Kathmandu, Oct 8: A strong earthquake has struck western Afghanistan, near the border with Iran, leading to fears of hundreds of casualties and injuries. The earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, hit approximately 40 kilometers from the city of Herat at around 11:00 local time (06:30 GMT).

The impact of the quake was severe, causing significant damage to buildings. Many people found themselves trapped under the rubble of collapsed structures, and there were several powerful aftershocks that followed.

Survivors recounted their terrifying experiences as office buildings shook violently and then crumbled around them. Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Herat, shared his ordeal, saying, “We were in our offices, and suddenly the building started shaking. Wall plaster started to fall down, and the walls got cracks; some walls and parts of the building collapsed.” He also expressed deep concern for his family, as communication networks were disrupted.

There are conflicting reports regarding the number of casualties. The director of Herat provincial hospital informed the BBC that at least 255 people have lost their lives, and nearly 500 others have been injured. However, he emphasized that these figures are not final and may change as more information becomes available.

Earlier, the head of the province’s disaster management team, Mosa Ashari, stated that “so far more than 1,000 injured women, children, and elderly citizens have been included in our records, and about 120 people have lost their lives.”

Video footage from Herat Central Hospital depicted a distressing scene with numerous injured individuals receiving emergency care on the hospital grounds. This reflects the urgent need for medical attention due to the earthquake’s sudden and overwhelming impact.

Images from Herat’s Injil district showed extensive devastation, with rubble from damaged buildings obstructing roads and impeding rescue efforts.

Herat, known as the cultural capital of Afghanistan, is situated approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of the Iranian border. The province is estimated to be home to around 1.9 million people, based on 2019 World Bank data.

Afghanistan is susceptible to earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, given its proximity to the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. Last year in June, the province of Paktika experienced a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that claimed over 1,000 lives and left tens of thousands homeless.