In a distressing sequence of events, the western region of Afghanistan has been struck by a series of potent earthquakes, leaving a trail of destruction. Initial reports regarding the casualty count have exhibited considerable disparities, as the Taliban spokesperson asserted an astonishing death toll of 2,000.
Nevertheless, the United Nations, which initially provided an initial estimate of 320 fatalities, subsequently clarified that the figure was still pending verification. Local authorities have also chimed in, offering an approximate count of around 100 deaths and 500 injuries, based on updates from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The repercussions of the earthquake have extended beyond the loss of lives, encompassing the destruction of 465 homes and damage to an additional 135 residences. The prevailing uncertainty in this situation is exacerbated by the expectation that the casualty count will rise as search and rescue operations continue, with concerns that some individuals may be trapped beneath the debris.
Geographic Epicenter and Aftershocks
The United States Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter of the earthquake approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat city. This seismic event was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, measuring magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5, further intensifying the region’s ordeal.
Herat city resident Abdul Shakor Samadi vividly recounted the terror that gripped the city, saying, “All people are out of their homes. Houses, offices, and shops are all empty, and there are fears of more earthquakes. My family and I were inside our home; I felt the quake.” His family, like many others, rushed outside, too frightened to return indoors.
International Response and Humanitarian Aid
In the face of this tragedy, international organizations have swiftly mobilized to provide assistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan dispatched 12 ambulance cars to the hardest-hit Zenda Jan district in Herat province to evacuate casualties to hospitals. The WHO also announced its teams are working tirelessly in hospitals to assist with the treatment of the wounded and assess additional needs. These efforts are particularly crucial given that most of the affected individuals are women and children.
Painful Reminder of Past Tragedy
Regrettably, this earthquake bears a striking resemblance to a formidable quake that shook eastern Afghanistan in June 2022. Taking place in a challenging, mountainous terrain, this calamitous event led to the destruction of stone and mud-brick residences, marking it as the deadliest earthquake the country had encountered in twenty years. The tragic outcome of that catastrophe amounted to no fewer than 1,000 fatalities and around 1,500 individuals left injured.
In March, a catastrophic earthquake hit northeastern Afghanistan, forcing residents to flee their homes as it demolished entire buildings and triggered destructive landslides.
As the Afghan people grapple with the aftermath of these catastrophic earthquakes, the international community remains committed to providing assistance and support in their time of need, offering hope amid the rubble and despair.
Recently, another catastrophic earthquake struck Morocco. Following the magnitude-6.8 earthquake that rocked the High Atlas Mountain range in the Kingdom of Morocco on September 8th, a grim total of 2,122 individuals are reported to have lost their lives, with the majority of casualties concentrated in Al-Haouz, the epicenter, and Taroudant provinces. Additionally, 2,421 people have been reported as injured.
Earthquakes in Bangladesh
- USGS locates recent Bangladesh earthquake in Kanaighat, near Dhaka
- July 26, 2003, earthquake still the most powerful in recent Bangladesh history (5.6 magnitude)
- Bangladesh experiences three earthquakes above magnitude 5, including recent one
- 17 earthquakes reported in Bangladesh over the past year, mainly in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar areas
Many Bangladeshi experts predicting monumental damage from earthquakes in country
Many geologists and experts have sounded the alarm about Bangladesh potentially facing a similar fate. However, offering a different perspective, Mir Fazlul Karim, a former director of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh and an engineering geologist based in Massachusetts, holds a contrary view.
Numerous scientists have made estimations suggesting a significant possibility of earthquakes ranging from 8.2 to 9.0 Mw occurring in Bangladesh. However, he hold the view that these predictions are overstated, as Bangladesh lacks the extraordinary geological structures necessary to accumulate the energy required for such major earthquakes to occur in a single event.
It is important to note that our understanding of the earthquake risk in Bangladesh remains incomplete due to the absence of a comprehensive scientific assessment. The model-based predictions lack robust support from field geology studies specific to Bangladesh and three-dimensional representations of earthquake source structures, while these models remain unverified.
In his opinion, these uncertain and unverified predictions pose a serious concern and burden for the people of Bangladesh, particularly in terms of earthquake disaster management. Additionally, they could impede the country’s ongoing development efforts.
Historical geological records, along with existing geological maps and experiences, indicate that the earthquake risk in Bangladesh is indeed moderate. Most of the country falls within lower seismic hazard zones according to global seismic response maps, including the city of Dhaka.
