A significant earthquake, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, strikes the eastern region of Afghanistan along its border with Pakistan.

In a tragic turn of events, Afghanistan was hit by a series of earthquakes on October 7, 2023, marking the deadliest natural disaster the country has seen in recent memory. The series began with a magnitude 6.0 earthquake near the Pakistan border, followed by a 4.5 magnitude quake in the same region.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the initial earthquake had a depth of 8 kilometers and its epicenter was near Jalalabad, Nangarhar province. A second quake, with a depth of 10 kilometers, occurred approximately 20 minutes later in the same province. The exact times for both earthquakes were not specified by either the United Nations or the Taliban government.

The Taliban government, who have been ruling Afghanistan since taking power in August 2021, have reported a death toll of about 1,500 from the earthquakes. However, the Taliban did not provide information about the number of people injured in the series of earthquakes. Naqibullah Rahimi, a spokesman for the Nangarhar Public Health Department, confirmed that fifteen people were injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment. The United Nations, on the other hand, did not provide any information about the number of injured individuals.

The series of earthquakes has been a devastating blow to the people of Afghanistan, with the Taliban government estimating that at least 4,000 people died in the disasters. The events occurred late Sunday, local time, with the first earthquake striking at 11:47 p.m.

This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of regions like Afghanistan to natural disasters. As the world continues to respond to this tragedy, it is crucial to extend support and aid to those affected, ensuring their road to recovery is as smooth as possible.