Earthquake rocks Afghanistan, resulting in casualties and injuries
- A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan late Sunday with its epicenter near Bāswal.
- Local health officials confirmed that at least 15 individuals were injured during the quake.
- The ongoing seismic activity highlights the need for better disaster preparedness and response in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan experienced a significant natural disaster when a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit near the Pakistan border late on a Sunday night. This earthquake occurred on October 7, 2023, with the epicenter located 22 miles north of Bāswal and a depth of 6.2 miles. It struck at 11:47 p.m. local time, highlighting the geological instability of the region, which lies at the intersection of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. The immediate effects included many injuries, prompting local authorities to respond quickly to provide medical assistance. Naqibullah Rahimi, a representative of the Nangarhar Public Health Department, confirmed that 15 individuals were injured and subsequently treated at local hospitals. Just twenty minutes after the initial quake, a secondary tremor measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale struck the same province, further compounding the damage and panic among local populations. Earthquakes are not uncommon in Afghanistan, but this recent incident raised alarms due to the previous deadly earthquake disaster that had occurred in the region. Previously, on October 7, 2023, another earthquake of 6.3 magnitude devastated parts of Afghanistan, resulting in massive casualties. The Taliban government reported at least 4,000 fatalities, while the UN provided a significantly lower estimate involving around 1,500 deaths. The demographic data revealed that over 90% of those killed were women and children, according to UNICEF findings. This historical context underscores the vulnerability of Afghanistan to natural disasters and challenges the government's capacity to provide adequate disaster response measures. As the recent earthquake reminds the nation of past tragedies, it also highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness. The response from local health services may have mitigated some of the injuries in this latest event, but it is clear that Afghanistan faces ongoing risks due to its geological location, heightened by existing social and political challenges. Communities in affected areas require continued support as they deal with the immediate aftermath and potential longer-term impacts of this earthquake disaster.