Death toll in western Afghanistan earthquake exceeds 2,000

The death toll in a devastating earthquake and aftershocks in the west of Afghanistan has exceeded 2,000, the Associated Press news agency reported on Sunday citing its source.

According to the agency, "Abdul Wahid Rayan, spokesman at the Ministry of Information and Culture, said the death toll from the earthquake in Herat is higher than originally reported. About six villages have been destroyed, and hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris."