2023 Herat earthquakes — 7 October 2023 earthquakes in western Afghanistan
A series of magnitude 6.3 earthquakes struck Herat Province in October 2023, killing over 1,400 people and worsening an existing humanitarian crisis in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Key Facts
- Fatalities (mainshock)
- 1,482
- Injuries (mainshock)
- 2,100
- People affected
- 43,400
- People needing humanitarian aid
- 114,000
- Earthquake magnitude
- 6.3 Mww (each of four main quakes)
- Additional deaths (Oct 11, 15, 28)
- 7 combined
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The earthquakes were produced by thrust faulting along active geological structures in western Afghanistan near Herat Province. The region had no significant recent investment in earthquake-resilient infrastructure, and the country was already in a severe humanitarian crisis following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, with underfunded aid operations.
Four magnitude 6.3 earthquakes struck Herat Province in October 2023, with the first two occurring on 7 October at 11:11 and 11:42 AFT, followed by further major shocks on 11 and 15 October and numerous aftershocks. The WHO estimated 1,482 deaths and 2,100 injuries from the mainshock alone, with over 43,400 people directly affected.
Thousands were left homeless as winter approached, hospitals were overwhelmed and undersupplied, and international organizations including UNICEF and the Red Cross launched emergency appeals. The disaster compounded existing food insecurity and displacement, deepening the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan and stretching already strained relief capacities.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 1,489 (earthquake)