At least 26 killed after shallow M5.3 earthquake hits Afghanistan during heavy rains
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.3 hit Qadis District of Badghis Province in western Afghanistan at 11:40 UTC on January 17, 2022. The agency is reporting a depth of 18.8 km (11.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M5.6 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
The epicenter was located about 41 km (26 miles) E of Qala i Naw (population 9 000), 89 km (55 miles) SSW of Ghormach (population 30 000), and 143 km (80 miles) ENE of Herat (population 272 806), Afghanistan.
2 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 42 000 moderate, and 427 000 light.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
Initial reports indicate that 26 people were killed and 4 injured, OCHA reports.
Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed.
#Afganistán Al menos 12 personas han muerto, entre ellos mujeres y niños, después de que un terremoto sacudiera el lunes. El temblor alcanzó una magnitud de 5.6, según #EMSC y dejó fuertes daños en #Qadis, provincia de Bagdhis, según el gobernador, Mohammad Saleh Purdel. pic.twitter.com/AxsurMzQeF
— C e n t i n e l a 3 5 (@QuakeChaser35) January 17, 2022
The death toll from the earthquake in Badghis has risen to 26.
Local Taliban officials in #Badghis confirmed the news, saying five women were among the dead. Most of these people have died as a result of house demolition in Qadis district of the province. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/sB2KePkpmy
— Payk Media – Revealing the Truth (@PaykMedia) January 17, 2022
Heavy rains in the area prior to the earthquake reportedly rendered mud-brick houses more vulnerable to damage.
People whose homes have been damaged or destroyed are being hosted by their relatives and other members of their communities. Preliminary reports indicate that food, shelter, and non-food items, and heating materials are most urgently needed.
Image credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS, TW. Suomi NPP image acquired January 17, 2022
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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