Twin earthquakes in western Afghanistan kill not less than 22

The US Geological Survey registered a magnitude 5.3 quake at 2 pm and a second, magnitude 4.9 at 4 pm native time. Twin earthquakes in western Afghanistan killed not less than 22 individuals. (Photo: Representative)Two earthquakes rattled Afghanistan’s western Badghis province alongside the border with Turkmenistan on Monday afternoon, killing not less than 22 individuals, a neighborhood official mentioned.

There have been fears the dying toll may rise additional as the primary rescuers reached among the distant villages struck by the temblors in what’s one among Afghanistan’s most impoverished and underdeveloped areas.Bas Mohammad Sarwari, chief of the province’s tradition and knowledge division, mentioned scores of properties have been destroyed within the quakes.The US Geological Survey registered a magnitude 5.3 quake at 2 pm and a second, magnitude 4.9 at 4 pm native time. They struck 41 kilometers (25 miles) east and 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast of Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital.Sarwari says frightened residents have been fleeing their properties for security.The extra highly effective of the temblors hit Qadis district within the southern tip of the province, the place nearly all of the injury and deaths occurred, in line with Sarwari. Officials have been nonetheless gathering info. By dusk solely 4 villages had been heard from, he mentioned. The first 4.9 quake was centered in Muqur district, he mentioned.“Tomorrow we have plan to send rescue teams as well as assistance for the affected families,” he mentioned.Sarwari mentioned the tremors have been felt throughout the province. Some properties in Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital, suffered cracks however no main accidents or widespread injury, he added.ALSO READ: Two earthquakes hit elements of North EastALSO READ: Earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hits Hindu Kush in Afghanistan, tremors felt in J&KClick right here for IndiaToday.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.