 A village destroyed by the earthquakes | |
  | |
| UTC time | 2023-10-07 06:41:03 |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-07 07:12:50 | |
| 2023-10-11 00:41:56 | |
| 2023-10-15 03:36:00 | |
| ISC event | 635743372 |
| 635743376 | |
| 635746074 | |
| 635804203 | |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| ComCat | |
| ComCat | |
| ComCat | |
| Local date | 7 October 2023 |
| 7 October 2023 | |
| 11 October 2023 | |
| 15 October 2023 | |
| Local time | 11:11 AFT (UTC+4:30) |
| 11:42 AFT (UTC+4:30) | |
| 05:11 AFT (UTC+4:30) | |
| 08:06 AFT (UTC+4:30) | |
| Magnitude | 6.3 Mw |
| 6.3 Mw | |
| 6.3 Mw | |
| 6.3 Mw | |
| Depth | 14.0 km (8.7 mi) |
| 8.0 km (5.0 mi) | |
| 8.0 km (5.0 mi) | |
| 9.0 km (5.6 mi) | |
| Epicenter | 34°36′36″N 61°55′26″E / 34.610°N 61.924°E |
| Type | Thrust |
| Areas affected |
|
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (Severe) |
| Casualties | 1,489 dead, 2,444–2,744 injured
|
Four large earthquakes measuring Mww 6.3 each and their aftershocks affected Herat Province in western Afghanistan in early October 2023. The first two earthquakes occurred on 7 October at 11:11 AFT and 11:42 AFT near the city of Herat, followed by many aftershocks. On 11 and 15 October, two other magnitude 6.3 earthquakes struck the same area. Thrust faulting was associated with these earthquakes. The World Health Organization estimated 1,482 fatalities, 2,100 injuries, 43,400 people affected and 114,000 people requiring humanitarian aid due to the mainshock.[1] The 11, 15 and 28 October earthquakes caused a combined seven deaths and 344 injuries.
The earthquakes struck Afghanistan during an ongoing humanitarian crisis following the Taliban takeover in 2021, and existing aid groups were experiencing a lack of funds prior to the disaster. Some aid agencies including UNICEF and the Red Cross appealed for donations in response to the earthquakes.[2] Many international organizations and countries participated in rescue and relief efforts. Hospitals were overwhelmed by the number of injured and lack of proper equipment.[3] Thousands more were made homeless as the country entered the winter.
- ^ World Health Organization (16 October 2023). "Afghanistan Earthquakes in Herat Province, Health Situation Report No. 8, 15-16 October 2023". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ Nasar, Khudai Noor (12 October 2023). "Starving Afghan earthquake survivors face reality of aid shortfall". Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
- ^ Makoii, Akhtar Mohammad (11 October 2023). "Fears of more casualties as further earthquakes hit Afghanistan". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.