Death toll from strong earthquakes that shook western Afghanistan rises to 2,000, said a Taliban spokesman on October 8. The update also said 465 houses had been reported destroyed and a further 135 were damaged.

Partners and local authorities anticipate the number of casualties to increase as search and rescue efforts continue amid reports that some people may be trapped under collapsed buildings, the UN said.

Disaster authority spokesperson Mohammad Abdullah Jan said four villages in the Zenda Jan district in Herat province bore the brunt of the quake and aftershocks. The United States Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Herat city. It was followed by three very strong aftershocks, measuring magnitude 6.3, 5.9 and 5.5, as well as lesser shocks.

First Published:Oct 8, 2023 11:31 AM IST