More Than 90% of Those Killed in Afghanistan Earthquake Were Women, Children: UN

An overwhelming majority of those killed in Afghanistan during a 6.3-magnitude earthquake last weekend were women and children, according to estimates from the United Nations. 

The earthquake hit western Afghanistan on Saturday, leaving over 2,000 people dead. The temblor struck 25 miles west of Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mojahid told CNN that an additional 1,200 people had been injured, and rescue teams were quickly deployed to the area. 

The Associated Press reported that because the earthquake had struck during the day, more than 90% of those killed were likely women and children, based on UN estimates. 

“At that time of the day, men were out in the field,” said Jaime Nadal, the Afghanistan representative for the United Nations Population Fund. “Many men migrate to Iran for work. The women were at home doing the chores and looking after the children. They found themselves trapped under the rubble. There was clearly a gender dimension.”

The earthquake flattened entire villages and destroyed mud-brick homes. 

“Early reports from our teams are that many of those who lost their lives were small children who were crushed or suffocated after buildings collapsed on them,” the Norwegian Refugee Council said, according to the AP. 

Residents of Herat said they panicked as multiple aftershocks struck the city following the initial jolt. 

"People left their houses, we all are on the streets," a Herat resident identified only as Naseema told Reuters.