6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Afghanistan, strong tremors felt in Delhi and Pakistan

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan on Saturday, sending strong tremors across parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India, including Delhi. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, authorities said.

Key Takeaways

• A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck 43 km south of Jurm in northeastern Afghanistan.
• The earthquake occurred at a depth of 208.3 kilometresaccording to the USGS.
• Strong tremors were felt in Delhi, Kabuland several parts of Pakistanincluding Swat.
• Residents in Pakistan reported panic, with people rushing outdoors during the prolonged shaking.
• There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage in Afghanistan, Pakistan or India.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS)the earthquake struck 43 kilometres south of Jurm in northeastern Afghanistan. The quake occurred at a depth of 208.3 kilometres (129 miles)indicating a deep-focus earthquake that allowed tremors to be felt across a wide geographical area.

The earthquake shook eastern Afghan provinces, including Host and Nangarharwhile tremors were also reported in the capital Kabul. Residents in several parts of the country experienced the shaking, although officials did not immediately report any loss of life or structural damage.

The tremors extended across the border into neighbouring Pakistan, where residents in several cities felt prolonged shaking. In Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwapeople rushed out of their homes as the ground shook.

“It was very huge here in Swat, and it lasted for quite a long time,” resident Daniel Ahmad told Reuters. “People came out of their houses, and women and children were seen crying in panic.”

Strong tremors were also felt in Delhi and parts of the National Capital Region, prompting residents in several neighbourhoods to briefly evacuate homes and office buildings as a precaution. Social media users across northern India reported feeling the earthquake, although no official reports of damage were immediately available.

The earthquake occurred in the Hindu Kush region, one of the world’s most seismically active zones due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Deep earthquakes originating in this region are frequently felt across Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India because seismic waves travel long distances beneath the Earth’s surface.

Emergency authorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan continued to assess the situation following the earthquake. Disaster management agencies said monitoring was underway, while local administrations remained alert in case of aftershocks.

As of Saturday evening, officials in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India had not reported any fatalities or significant infrastructure damage linked to the earthquake.