NEW YORK: UN chief Antonio Guterres is “deeply saddened” by the heavy loss of life resulting from Saturday’s lethal quake in Herat, Afghanistan, his spokesperson said. Antonio Guterres expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and also extended his condolences to the relatives of quake-hit people in Afghanistan. In a statement, the UN Secretary General Spokesperson said that the UN and its partners are working with the rulers in Afghanistan to swiftly assess needs and provide emergency help to them. The UN chief asked the international community to help the quake-hit people in Afghanistan.
Pakistan Expresses Solidarity with Afghanistan Amid Deadly Earthquake
Pakistan expressed deep condolence over loss of precious lives and properties in earthquake in Afghanistan, Pakistan Foreign Office said. The statement said that they extend their sincerest condolences to the families of the victims. It added that Islamabad stood in complete solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Afghanistan during this odd time.
A series of strong earthquakes struck Afghanistan late Saturday, killed more than 2,053 people and injured 9,240 others, according to a government spokesperson who confirmed the devastating impact of the disaster to Reuters news agency on Sunday.
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Initial reports had indicated 120 casualties, but the death toll surged dramatically as rescue operations revealed the true extent of the devastation. Deputy government spokesman Bilal Karimi stated, “Unfortunately, the casualties are practically very high,” emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The powerful earthquakes, with a magnitude of 6.3, originated 30 kilometers northwest of Herat, triggering eight aftershocks that flattened 1,328 houses in the affected regions. Sarboland village in the Zinda Jan district was among the hardest hit, where families were buried under collapsed homes. Rescue efforts were underway, but the full scope of the tragedy was yet to be realized.
Afghanistan, situated in the seismic-prone Hindu Kush Mountain range, frequently experiences earthquakes. This recent catastrophe is another blow to a nation already dealing with significant hardships.
