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Another 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Herat in Afghanistan
At about 5am on Wednesday morning, October 11, already traumatized Herat residents were subjected to another massive 6.3 magnitude earthquake, just days after the last one claimed over 2,400 lives and destroyed at least 20 villages.
Wednesday’s quake was followed by a number of aftershocks and was again epicentered in the Zinda Jan district. Other districts, including Golran, Kushk, Rabat Sangi and Ghoryan were also hit hard by the early morning quake.
Aid agencies already in the area assisting victims of Saturday’s earthquake reported Wednesday morning that further, extensive damage has been caused.
Herat city has also sustained damage. Landslides have also been reported, particularly along the Herat-Torghondi highway.
The US seismological center (USGS) has reported the magnitude of the earthquake to be 6.3 on the Richter scale and that it was at a depth of only 9km.
Reports indicate that Wednesday’s earthquake was also felt in Mashhad city in Iran.
Ambulances from Herat Provincial Hospital were immediately sent to the hardest hit areas and have so far transported more than 50 injured people to hospital. One person is confirmed dead.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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