Turkmenistan sends humanitarian aid to quake-hit Afghanistan

By Merdan Velhanov

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AA) – Turkmenistan has sent humanitarian aid to neighboring Afghanistan hit by a series of earthquakes since Saturday.

The humanitarian cargo carrying medical supplies, clothes, and food was sent to the Afghan people with the support of the Charity for Needy Children Foundation, the local media reported.

On early Wednesday morning, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s western province of Herat, days after similar earthquakes hit the region, according to the US Geological Survey.

One person was killed and over 50 others were injured in the latest tremor.

The injured have been shifted to hospitals in Herat city, local media reported.

On Tuesday, Afghanistan's Disaster Management Ministry said the number of dead and injured from last week's earthquakes has exceeded 4,500.

According to the UN, at least 12,110 people (1,730 families) have been affected by last Saturday’s powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Herat province and they are providing medical services, emergency shelter, food, and water.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul