In a grim turn of events, western Afghanistan has been rocked by a series of powerful earthquakes, claiming the lives of 2,000 individuals, according to a statement by a spokesperson for the Taliban. The catastrophe has left a trail of devastation in its wake, with 465 houses reduced to rubble, and an additional 135 structures suffering damage.

As rescue and search operations are tirelessly underway, there is a palpable fear that the casualty count may surge even higher. Reports are pouring in, suggesting that some unfortunate souls might still be trapped beneath the debris of collapsed buildings, intensifying the urgency of the situation.

Mohammad Abdullah Jan, the spokesperson for the disaster authority, revealed that the Zenda Jan district in Herat province bore the brunt of the seismic fury. Four villages in this region were particularly hard-hit, grappling with both the initial earthquake and subsequent powerful aftershocks.

The United States Geological Survey, which closely monitored the seismic activity, pinpointed the epicenter of the quake approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the northwest of Herat city. This devastating event was further compounded by three robust aftershocks, each measuring at a formidable magnitude 6. Our hearts go out to the affected communities in western Afghanistan as they endure this tragic ordeal.