At least 14 people have been killed and 78 injured after an earthquake hit western Afghanistan, officials say. The US Geological Survey said the 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck about 40km from the western city of Herat, close to the border with Iran, at around 11:00 local time (06:30 GMT). More than 70 injured people were being treated at the city’s main hospital, a health official said. Herat is located 120km east of the border with Iran and is considered to be the cultural capital of Afghanistan. In June last year, the province of Paktika was hit by a 5.9 magnitude quake which killed more than 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless.

Source: Nigerian Tribune October 07, 2023 14:30 UTC