A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits north-western Afghanistan
KABUL/HERAT (MNP) – A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit western Afghanistan on Saturday morning, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, with the epicentre close to the region’s largest city.
The USGS said the epicentre was 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of the city of Herat, and was quickly followed by three aftershocks of magnitude 5.5, 4.7 and 6.2.
An AFP journalist in the city said residents and shopkeepers fled buildings when the first quake hit around 11am (6:30am GMT), but that there were not yet reports of casualties or structural damage.
“People are worried and terrified. Women, men and children, everyone is out of their homes,” he said. “There have been aftershocks. Everyone is scared and tense. No one wants to stay inside.”
Hundreds of fatalities were possible, according to a USGS preliminary report.
“Significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response,” it said.
USGS had earlier reported the shallow quake’s magnitude as 6.2. Herat — 120 kilometres east of the border with Iran — is considered the cultural capital of Afghanistan.
