Afghan Quake Survivors Sleep Amid Rubble As Death Toll Nears 3,000

Survivors of a series of powerful earthquakes that struck western Afghanistan on Saturday spent a second night sleeping amid the rubble of demolished villages as they searched for loved ones, using shovels. The death toll is approaching 3,000, according to senior Taliban officials.

- Akhtar Mohammad Makoii

In the regional capital of Herat people slept in public parks and streets, fearing further tremors. The US Geological Survey reported quakes yesterday of magnitude 5.9, 4.9 and 4.7 in rural areas.

Saturday's 6.3-magnitude quake followed by eight strong aftershocks - jolted remote areas near Herat, toppling homes and sending panicked city dwellers into the streets.

Afghanistan is already in the grip of a dire humanitarian crisis, with the widespread withdrawal of foreign aid after the Taliban's return to power in 2021 having had a severe impact on its healthcare system. The Taliban also have fractious relations with international aid organisations after banning women from working for the United Nations and NGOs.

"These past few days have been incredibly distressing. We've spent the last two nights in the desert, and more aftershocks keep occurring," said Shakib, a Herat resident. "My two-year-old son is unwell, and there's nowhere to take him for medical care."