Afghanistan earthquakes claim over 2,000 lives, hundreds still trapped under rubble

In the deadliest blow in years, western Afghanistan grapples with the aftermath of two powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquakes near Herat province, leaving a trail of destruction.

The natural disaster has claimed over 2,000 lives, with thousands injured and hundreds still trapped under collapsed buildings. Casualties are expected to rise.

Additionally, more than 1,300 mud-brick homes near the Iranian border were reduced to rubble. The seismic shock occurring on Saturday originated roughly 35 km northwest of Herat city, per the US Geological Survey.

These tremors now rank among the deadliest earthquakes globally this year, following disasters in Turkey and Syria that claimed 50,000 lives in February.