An Afghan official says the death toll is expected to rise after the earthquake triggered landslides and the removal of debris from collapsed buildings.
14 people were killed and 78 injured in a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in western Afghanistan on Saturday.
An Afghan official says the death toll is expected to rise after the earthquake triggered landslides and the removal of debris from collapsed buildings.
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake and four major aftershocks were felt Saturday morning, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) seismological center.
According to the USGS, the epicenter was 40 km northwest of Herat city, while aftershocks of magnitude 5.5, 4.7, 6.3 and 5.9 were felt immediately after the first quake.
The earthquake struck around 11 a.m. local time, after which people rushed out of buildings in chaos.
Bashir Ahmed, 45, told AFP: 'We were in our offices when suddenly the building started shaking, plasters fell from the ceilings and cracks appeared in the walls.'
He added that walls and parts of buildings collapsed due to the earthquake. 'I am unable to contact my family as the networks are down. I am very worried and scared. It was a frightening situation.'
After the earthquake, women and children also came out into the streets and roads and were afraid to go back into the buildings for fear of the first earthquake and aftershocks, which lasted for about an hour.
According to the initial report of the US Geological Survey, the earthquake was so severe that hundreds of deaths are expected.
According to the USGS: 'Many deaths are expected and devastation could potentially be widespread. Given the earthquakes of this magnitude in the past, there is a need for an immediate response at the regional and national level.'
The US Geological Survey said Saturday's earthquake was only 14 kilometers deep, which is extremely dangerous. Herat city is considered as the cultural capital of Afghanistan.
According to 2019 World Bank data, the city is the capital of Herat province, which has a population of 1.9 million.
In June last year, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake killed more than 1,000 people and left thousands homeless in the region.
In March this year, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan, killing 13 people in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
United Nations offers assistance to Pakistan in registration of Afghan citizens
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, Pakistan was hosting about 1.5 million registered refugees, the largest such number in the world, before the Taliban took control of Kabul.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Saturday offered assistance to Pakistan in developing a system for registration and management of Afghan nationals in the country. Is.
Pakistan's caretaker government on Tuesday asked all illegal immigrants in the country to voluntarily leave the country by November 1. After this deadline, she will forcibly deport them. Caretaker Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said that 'after November 1, entry into Pakistan will be allowed only on the basis of visa and passport.'
The announcement comes at a time when terrorist attacks in Pakistan have increased sharply, which has caused Islamabad to worry about the presence of Afghan nationals in the country.
The government's decision is seen as a blow to Afghan nationals in the country, who according to Pakistani officials have migrated by the millions since foreign forces left Afghanistan in 2021 and the Taliban seized Kabul . have been
UNHCR and IOM said in a joint statement that "UNHCR and IOM have a long-standing and solid partnership with the Government of Pakistan and they are committed to comprehensive and sustainable registration and management of Afghan nationals." Willing to assist in developing the mechanism. These include those who may be in need of international protection.'
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, Pakistan was hosting about 1.5 million registered refugees, the largest such number in the world, before the Taliban took control of Kabul. It is estimated that more than 1 million Afghans are unregistered in Pakistan.
United Nations agencies say that Afghanistan is facing a number of human rights challenges, including a humanitarian crisis. Especially women and girls are facing difficulties. The statement said Pakistan's move to deport Afghan nationals would have "serious implications" for all those who were forced to leave Afghanistan and could face "serious security risks" upon return. .
"The forced repatriation of Afghan nationals can result in serious human rights violations, including family separation and deportation of children," the statement said.
The agencies urged all countries to suspend the forced repatriation of Afghan nationals and ensure their safe and dignified return.
Pakistan's move to threaten the deportation of Afghan nationals has drawn a sharp reaction from Kabul, with Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Wednesday calling the decision "unacceptable".
Zabihullah Mujahid said that the Afghan citizens in Pakistan are not involved in the country's security issues. He demanded Islamabad to tolerate them.
The recent uptick in violence in Pakistan has also been attributed to the collapse of a tenuous ceasefire last November between the government and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant network. The TTP leadership is said to be based in Afghanistan.
More than 60 people were killed in two suicide bombings at a mosque and a religious gathering in Pakistan on November 29, after the government told all illegal immigrants to leave the country by next month or face forced deportation.
Rishi Sunak calls for reducing tension regarding India-Canada dispute
Rishi Sunak spoke to Trudeau on Friday evening. In this conversation, he was given information about the situation related to Canadian diplomats in India.
London : British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that he hopes to see a reduction in the India-Canada diplomatic row after a call with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau. , which continues due to the standoff over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in June. Rishi Sunak and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, during their telephone conversation, stressed on reducing tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa and respecting the rule of law.
According to a statement issued by Downing Street, the office and residence of the British Prime Minister, the British Indian leader spoke to Trudeau on Friday evening. In this conversation, he was given information about the situation related to Canadian diplomats in India. Both the leaders agreed to remain in touch.
Rishi Sunak reiterated Britain's stance on the rule of law following Canada's allegations that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of wanted pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
"Prime Minister Trudeau provided an update on the situation regarding Canadian diplomats in India," the statement said. "Prime Minister (Sunak) reiterated the UK's position that all countries should maintain diplomatic relations," the statement said. Must respect sovereignty and the rule of law, including the principles of the Vienna Convention. He expressed hope that the situation will improve.
Reiterating this statement from the Canadian capital Ottawa, the Prime Minister's Office said that Trudeau gave updated information on the current situation between Canada and India.
"The two leaders stressed the need to respect the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and ensure the security of their citizens," the Canadian government statement said. He stressed the importance of reducing tension. Justin Trudeau and Rishi Sunak agreed to stay in close touch and work together to tackle global issues.