The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue after the magnitude 6.4 and 6.2 earthquakes struck within 30 minutes.
A powerful earthquake followed by strong aftershocks has killed more than 100 people in western Afghanistan, local officials said, as the United Nations warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue efforts continue.
Both 6.4 & 6.2 magnitude earthquakes struck 40km (24 miles) west of the city of Herat at about 11am on Saturday, with strong aftershocks felt in the neighboring Badghis and Farah provinces.
The Afghan Ministry of Defence in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, said the tremors killed more than 100 people and injured more than 500.
A situation report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs added that there were unconfirmed estimates that as many as 320 people had died.
“Partners and local authorities anticipate the number of casualties to increase as search and rescue efforts continue amid reports that some people may be trapped under collapsed buildings,” the OCHA said.
