Death toll climbs to at least 2,400 in Afghanistan after powerful earthquakes rock country
The first in a series of strong earthquakes began just after 11 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. EDT) on Saturday and registered a magnitude 6.3, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Watch: Thousands killed, injured after series of powerful earthquakes in Afghanistan
More than 2,400 people have been killed after a series of powerful earthquakes shook Afghanistan over the weekend.
HERAT, Afghanistan – Search and rescue operations are still underway days after a series of powerful earthquakes rocked Afghanistan and left thousands of people dead and injured.
According to Reuters, at least 2,400 people were killed when the earthquakes occurred, and the death toll is expected to rise as people are still searching the rubble of destroyed homes for victims who may still be trapped.
The first in a series of strong earthquakes began just after 11 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. EDT) on Saturday and registered a magnitude 6.3, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
10/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. An Afghan man walks through the rubble after a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes the city of Herat. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Several strong aftershocks, including another magnitude 6.3 quake, shook the region in the hours and days following the disaster, which sent people scrambling for safety due to fears that heavily damaged buildings that survived the initial shaking would collapse.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 11,000 people have been affected by the earthquakes, and those who were injured were being treated at the Herat Regional Hospital, which is serving as the main hospital for earthquake victims.
10/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Afghan men comb through the rubble to collect belongings and recover bodies in the aftermath of a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Herat, resulting in the loss of 2,000 lives and leaving 10,000 injured. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
OCHA reports that at least 552 people are being treated for injuries, and hundreds of people have been confirmed dead.
Humanitarian efforts are underway, with trauma kits being sent to hospitals that will support at least 150 surgeries. Shelters are also being provided to support families that have been displaced.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent have also mobilized response teams to the area, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO says cold weather will also intensify the vulnerability of those who have been affected by the earthquakes, especially those who have been evacuated from their homes.
![10/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Ruins and rubble from demolished houses are seen in the city of Herat after a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 1 of 1610/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Ruins and rubble from demolished houses are seen in the city of Herat after a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![10/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Afghan men comb through the rubble to collect belongings and recover bodies in the aftermath of a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Herat, resulting in the loss of 2,000 lives and leaving 10,000 injured. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 1610/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Afghan men comb through the rubble to collect belongings and recover bodies in the aftermath of a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Herat, resulting in the loss of 2,000 lives and leaving 10,000 injured. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![10/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Afghan men comb through the rubble to collect belongings and recover bodies in the aftermath of a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Herat, resulting in the loss of 2,000 lives and leaving 10,000 injured. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 3 of 1610/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Afghan men comb through the rubble to collect belongings and recover bodies in the aftermath of a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Herat, resulting in the loss of 2,000 lives and leaving 10,000 injured. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![10/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Cracked walls and rubble are seen in a house in Herat after a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 1610/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. Cracked walls and rubble are seen in a house in Herat after a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city, resulting in thousands of injuries and fatalities. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![10/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. An Afghan man walks through the rubble after a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes the city of Herat. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 1610/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. An Afghan man walks through the rubble after a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes the city of Herat. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 6 of 1610/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. A young boy sits on the blankets and pillows that were pulled out from the rubble and ruins after the massive earthquake in Herat. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 7 of 1610/08/2023 Herat, Afghanistan. An Afghan family gathers their remaining belongings after a massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes the city of Herat. Afghan mourners are seen covering a grave with soil following the funeral prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Kashkak village, Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 8, 2023. The death toll from a series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan drastically increased on October 8, with the number surpassing 2,000, and nearly 10,000 people reported as injured. Rescue workers tirelessly searched through destroyed villages, hoping to find any signs of life. According to officials, more than 1,300 homes were demolished when a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, followed by eight strong aftershocks, struck remote areas located 30 kilometers (19 miles) northwest of the provincial capital of Herat. (Photo by Muhammad Balabuluki / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MUHAMMAD BALABULUKI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Afghan children rest under a blanket beside damaged houses after earthquake in Sarbuland village of Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 7,2023.]()
Image 8 of 16Afghan children rest under a blanket beside damaged houses after earthquake in Sarbuland village of Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 7,2023. (MOHSEN KARIMI/AFP)
![Afghan residents clear debris from a damaged house after earthquake in Sarbuland village of Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 7,2023.]()
Image 9 of 16Afghan residents clear debris from a damaged house after earthquake in Sarbuland village of Zendeh Jan district of Herat province on October 7,2023. (MOHSEN KARIMI/AFP)
![Afghan residents sit at a damaged house after earthquake in Sarbuland village of Zendeh Jan, district of Herat province, on October 7,2023.]()
Image 10 of 16Afghan residents sit at a damaged house after earthquake in Sarbuland village of Zendeh Jan, district of Herat province, on October 7,2023. (MOHSEN KARIMI/AFP)
![Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023.]()
Image 11 of 16Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023. (UNICEF Afghanistan)
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Image 12 of 16(UNICEF Afghanistan)
![Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023.]()
Image 13 of 16Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023. (UNICEF Afghanistan)
![Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023.]()
Image 14 of 16Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023. (WHO Afghanistan)
![Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023.]()
Image 15 of 16Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023. (UNICEF Afghanistan)
![Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023.]()
Image 16 of 16Earthquake aftermath in Afghanistan. Oct. 7, 2023. (WHO Afghanistan)
Most homes in the regions rattled by the earthquakes remain fragile as they are mostly made from mud and stone.
The poor weather conditions with limited water and people in congested spaces will likely contribute to an increased incidence and severity of respiratory infections, and the WHO says preparedness for any potential health threats, such as disease outbreaks, must be in place to keep those who have been affected by the earthquakes healthy.