6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Afghanistan, 320 deaths reported

KABUL: 320 people were killed in an earthquake measuring 6.3 magnitude on the Richter scale in western Afghanistan, the United Nations (UN) said. More than a thousand people were injured. The UN said the death toll was preliminary and it is being verified. The earthquake occurred yesterday at 12 pm Indian time.

The epicenter is 40 km from the western city of Herat, which borders Iran. The death toll could rise. According to the US Geological Survey, there were eight aftershocks recorded in the region from 4.3 to 6.3 magnitude on the Richter scale. The country's Taliban regime has not officially commented on the casualties in the earthquake. The information given by the local administration is that 120 people have died. Many buildings were destroyed. Rescue operations are ongoing for those trapped.

Earthquake in Mexico

Strong earthquakes also occurred in Mexico and Papua New Guinea yesterday. At 10.30 am IST, the earthquake in Oaxaca, Mexico registered a magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale. The earthquake occurred at a distance of 56 km from the city of Madang in Papua New Guinea at around 2 pm. The intensity was 6.7. No casualty has been reported here.