US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale
Kabul … News Time
An earthquake in Afghanistan’s western province of Badghis and adjoining areas has killed at least 26 people and injured dozens more. According to the AFP news agency, provincial spokesman Baz Mohammad Sarwary said that the roof of a house collapsed due to an earthquake in Qadis district of western Badghis province, killing civilians. The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale. Baz Mohammad Sarwary said that many people have been injured in today’s earthquake while women and children are also among the dead. Afghanistan’s Badghis province is one of the worst-affected areas by the drought and has received little foreign aid over the past 20 years. Afghanistan is facing its first humanitarian crisis since the Taliban took control, while Western countries, including the United States, have frozen Afghanistan’s assets. Earthquakes are frequently felt in Afghanistan, especially the epicenter of the Hindu Kush mountain range, located near the confluence of the Eurasian and subcontinental landforms. Crisis-ridden Afghanistan could cause severe damage to unfinished houses and buildings.
It may be recalled that the worst earthquake of 7.5 magnitude occurred in Afghanistan and neighboring countries in 2015 where 280 people were killed and its effects were also felt in Pakistan and several people were killed. According to the report, 12 schoolgirls were also killed in a stampede while trying to get out of the school during the quake.
