Afghanistan Earthquake: Over 2,000 Dead, Rescue Efforts Intensify

A devastating magnitude-6.3 earthquake struck western Afghanistan's Herat province on Saturday, claiming over 2,000 lives and leaving survivors scrambling amid collapsed buildings and relentless aftershocks. Rescue teams worked through the night, battling time and rubble to free trapped survivors as hospitals overflowed with casualties.

'Buildings Crumbled Like Sandcastles'

Local residents described scenes of chaos, with entire neighborhoods reduced to debris. 'It felt like the ground was swallowing us,' one survivor told CGTN. Herat Regional Hospital is overwhelmed, with staff struggling to treat hundreds of injured, while urgent calls for medical supplies and personnel echo across the region.

Race Against Time

International aid organizations are mobilizing to support Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure, but access remains a challenge. CGTN correspondent Zmaryalai Abasin reported from the hospital, highlighting the dire need for expanded services. 'Every minute counts,' he said, as rescue workers dig through rubble with bare hands in some areas.

This tragedy adds to Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, underscoring the vulnerability of regions prone to seismic activity. Stay tuned for updates as the story develops.

Reference(s):

Live: Latest updates on Afghanistan earthquakes

cgtn.com