Afghanistan Earthquake of Magnitude 5.9 Kills At Least 8

An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck northern Afghanistan and western Pakistan late Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals in Kabul, according to officials. The tremors were also reported in parts of India and Pakistan, including major cities like Islamabad and New Delhi.

The quake’s epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, approximately 150 kilometers east of Kunduz. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) noted the seismic event occurred at a depth of 177 kilometers (110 miles). This depth may influence the extent of surface damage, though officials emphasized that assessments are still in progress.

“Eight family members were killed, and a child sustained injuries when a dwelling collapsed near Kabul,” stated Hafizullah Basharat, a representative for the Kabul governor. The incident occurred on the city’s outskirts, highlighting localized impacts despite the quake’s broader reach.

Officials mentioned that damage evaluations could be delayed due to the remote location of the earthquake’s epicenter. Health authorities across the country have been put on high alert to respond to potential emergencies. In Pakistan, the tremors were felt in Islamabad, Peshawar, Chitral, Swat, and Shangla, as reported by the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

Local media sources indicated that the seismic activity also affected regions in India, such as Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kargil. While the immediate impact in these areas was less severe, the quake’s reach underscores the vulnerability of the region.

Afghanistan has a history of devastating earthquakes. Last August, a 6.0 magnitude quake in the mountainous Kunar province claimed over 2,200 lives and injured thousands. Similarly, in October 2023, a 6.3 magnitude event near Herat city killed hundreds of people.

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