Death toll rises to 2,000 after two powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquakes jolt Afghanistan

death toll from dely earthquake that struck western Afghanistan has risen to 2,000,  a Taliban spokesman told Associated Press on Sunday. As war battered country was jolted by one of deliest earthquakes that occurred in nearly two deces, dozens of homes were destroyed, and an estimated 1000 people were hurt, national disaster authority said.

A Ministry of Information and Culture spokesman, Abdul Wahid Rayan, said that toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operation is ongoing. As many as six villages were completely destroyed, and hundreds of civilians were trapped under debris. Meanwhile, Taliban called for urgent humanitarian help to avert aftermath of crisis.

death toll from earthquake in Herat is many times higher than media reports. About six villages have been destroyed, and hundreds of civilians have been buried under debris. Relief and aid operations are urgently needed.#Herat #Afghanistan #EarthQuake pic.twitter.com/R9h6c6RrhP

— Khalid Zran (@khalidzran01)

A horrifying #Earthquake in Afghanistan’s Herat province destroyed this village completely.#Taliban #Palestine #Israel #Israel_under_attack #AfghanistanEarthquake pic.twitter.com/a1qpJVmenu

— Angry (@angryopinionatd)

#Earthquake have hit hard to #Afghanistan , Death toll have Raised to 1000 people.
This 🌎 is changing, someone is going to come... ☀️#Israel #Palestine #طوفان_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/4u8wr9IWac

— al O Ihsan Movement (AIM) 🌞 (@AIMforUniverse)

epicentre of earthquake that struck around noon was located at about 25 miles northwest of Herat city, near Iranian border. Several aftershocks due to 5.5 magnitude tremors were felt. In harrowing videos circulating online, frantic people were seen spilling on street as ir houses were reduced to debris and crumbled. “All people are out of ir homes,” Herat city resident Abdul Shakor Sami was quoted as saying. “Houses, offices and shops are all empty and re are fears of more earthquakes. My family and I were inside our home, I felt quake,” he went on to d.

At least 12 ambulances were dispatched to town of Zinda Jan to assist with search for survivors. “As deaths and casualties from earthquake continue to be reported, teams are in hospitals assisting treatment of wounded and assessing ditional needs,” UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“WHO-supported ambulances are transporting those affected, most of m women and children,” UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated.

Last year, a powerful earthquake destroyed scores of homes, and buried hundreds of people under rubble, killing 1,000 and injuring about 1,500. devastating quake occurred in mountainous Paktika province near Pakistan border. Several tremors were felt for days after earthquake which destroyed ros leing to several devastated regions and hampering rescue efforts.