In a distressing turn of events, Afghanistan has experienced its third earthquake in the span of a week, compounding the challenges faced by the nation. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported a magnitude 6.4 quake, striking at a depth of 10km in the Herat province, north of the city of Herat—same as the previous seismic activities that claimed the lives of nearly 2,500 people.

Wednesday’s earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, left at least 80 people injured, affecting rural areas of Herat province. The aftermath saw a landslide blocking the main Herat-Toghondi motorway, while Chahak village witnessed the levelling of 700 homes. Fortunately, initial reports indicate no casualties, as residents had sought refuge in tents, anticipating further tremors after the previous Saturday’s quake.

This unfolding natural disaster adds to the woes of a region already grappling with the aftermath of the earlier quakes. The Taliban officials reported more than 2,445 deaths and claimed thousands more injuries, though details remain scarce. The destruction of nearly 2,000 houses across 20 villages has left communities vulnerable, compounded by the fact that the affected area possesses only one government-run hospital.