A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck western Afghanistan early Monday, leaving at least nine people dead and dozens injured. The tremor hit areas already devastated by previous quakes, causing panic among residents and renewed fears of aftershocks.
According to local officials, the quake’s epicenter was near Herat province, where thousands of homes have already been damaged in recent months. Many families who had been living in temporary shelters once again fled into open spaces as the ground shook violently.
Rescue teams rushed to the affected areas to search for survivors trapped under debris. Medical facilities, already under pressure, are now struggling to treat the injured. Emergency tents and supplies are being distributed by local and international aid groups.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as walls collapsed and dust filled the air. “It felt like the entire village was moving,” one survivor told reporters. The quake was felt in nearby regions, including parts of Iran and Turkmenistan.
The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have expressed concern over the worsening situation. They warned that continued tremors could deepen the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where millions are already in need of urgent assistance.
Authorities have urged residents to stay cautious as aftershocks continue. Damage assessments are still underway, and officials fear the death toll could rise as more reports emerge from remote villages.
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