Woman killed, 153 injured in fresh earthquake in Herat

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): A woman was killed and more than 153 people were injured when another strong earthquake hit western Herat province on Wednesday, an official said.

The new temblor happened four days after a deadly earthquake followed by several aftershocks rattled the province and killed more than 2000 people.

The magnitude 6.3 earthquake on Wednesday was about 28 kilometers (17 miles) outside Herat, the provincial capital, and 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

It triggered a landslide that blocked the main Herat-Torghondi highway, Information Ministry spokesman Abdul Wahid Rayan said.

Muhammad Barat Mueen, head of Herat hospital, confirmed receiving 153 injured people and the body of a woman.

He said the ambulance department and rescue teams were trying to transport the injured from the affected areas.

On other hand, local residents said the earthquake destroyed dozens of houses in Rabat Sangi, Injeel districts and Herat City in addition to killing livestock.

hz/sa/mud/ma