Afghanistan hit by deadliest earthquakes in two decades: at least 2,000 dead, over 1,200 injured

A series of powerful earthquakes followed by several strong aftershocks hit the western part of Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said.

“Besides the 2,060 dead, 1,240 people are injured and 1,320 houses are completely destroyed,” said Abdul Wahid Rayan, spokesperson at the Ministry of Information and Culture.

About six villages have been destroyed, affecting nearly 10,000 residents, and hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris, he said, calling for urgent help.

The earthquake happened as Afghanistan is in the worst humanitarian crisis with economic sanctions from the Western countries after the country fell to the Taliban two years ago.

Humanitarian organizations were forced to cut aid to millions of people due to funding shortfalls, and, “due to a funding crisis,” the World Food Programme was forced to cut 10 million people off life-saving food assistance in Afghanistan this year.

In August, the Red Cross ended funding for 25 hospitals in Afghanistan, including Herat Regional Hospital, due to funding shortages.

The World Health Organization’s Afghanistan office said its teams were in hospitals assisting treatment of wounded and assessing additional needs.