Afghanistan: Hundreds dead and homes flattened in earthquakes
![](https://english.alsiasi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/131400140__dsc2144.jpg-780x470.webp)
Two large earthquakes hit western Afghanistan four days apart, killing more than 1,300 people. The United Nations called it a “disaster on top of a disaster” in a nation still reeling from decades of war.
Both quakes struck close to the capital of Herat province, a barren landscape dotted with mud brick homes. Photographer Nava Jamshidi found whole villages flattened in some areas – survivors are mourning relatives and friends and many have lost homes and livestock.
![A group of Afghan women walking in Nayeb Rafi village](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/23F0/production/_131400290__dsc3298-2.jpg)
Afghanistan has been hit by a series of quakes and aftershocks in the last five days – the worst was on Saturday when Zindajan district 40km (25 miles) from Herat was most seriously affected
![A man sitting at a doorway - the only remaining piece of what used to be his home in Siah Ab](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/AC44/production/_131400144__dsc1895.jpg)
A man sitting at a doorway – the only remaining piece of what used to be his home at a village called Siah Ab
![People watch as rescue teams search for survivors under the rubble at Siah Ab](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/D354/production/_131400145__dsc1809.jpg)
People watch as rescue teams search for survivors under the rubble
![Many survivors, like these residents of Siah Ab, are staying outdoors for fear of more aftershocks](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/5E24/production/_131400142__dsc2227.jpg)
Many survivors are staying outdoors in tents for fear of more aftershocks – this is reported to have reduced casualties in the second big quake on Wednesday as many people weren’t in their homes
![People who live in this part of Afghanistan, like this woman at Siah Ab, are very poor and mostly rely on farming and livestock](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/1449C/production/_131400138__dsc2280.jpg)
People in this part of Afghanistan are poor and mostly rely on farming, but much of the livestock were also killed
![Afghan woman under shelter at Siah Ab](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/12174/production/_131400147__dsc1943.jpg)
This woman, who is three months pregnant, lost her husband and son
![Villagers' belongings uncovered in the rubble at Nayeb Rafi](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/136F0/production/_131400697__dsc4175-min.jpg)
Villagers’ belongings uncovered in the rubble
![Two girls search in the debris for the remains of their homes at Siah Ab](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/1004/production/_131400140__dsc2144.jpg)
Two girls search in the debris. The World Health Organization said women and children make up two-thirds of those killed and wounded, many with severe injuries. Many men were working outside when the quakes struck.
![Rescue workers search for victims amid rubble of destroyed houses at Nayeb Rafi](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/50DC/production/_131400702__dsc3559-2-1.jpg)
Rescue workers search for victims amid rubble of destroyed houses
![What is left of a shelf of provisions at Nayeb Rafi](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/C1C0/production/_131400694__dsc3474-min.jpg)
What is left of a shelf of provisions – the recessed wall is all that remains of this house at Nayeb Rafi village