Afghanistan: Death toll in Herat earthquakes surpasses 4,000

An earthquake in Herat province, Afghanistan, has resulted in over 4,000 deaths and the destruction of thousands of homes, according to the Taliban ministry. The Ministry of Disaster Management reported that 1,983 residential houses in 20 villages have been destroyed. The Taliban has not yet provided a breakdown of the number of deaths and injuries. Search and rescue efforts are underway, and the European Union and the World Health Organization have pledged aid to the victims.