- Hindu Kush earthquake shakes Afghanistan and Pakistan regions
- Kabul deaths reported as quake felt across multiple cities
An earthquake measuring 5.8 magnitude struck the Hindu Kush region late Friday, rattling parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The tremor caused panic across several cities. Officials confirmed that at least eight people died in Kabul following the incident.
The spokesperson for Kabul’s governor shared the initial death toll. Meanwhile, authorities continue to monitor the situation. The region is known for frequent seismic activity. Therefore, such earthquakes often cause damage and casualties.
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center and the United States Geological Survey, the epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush mountain range. It was about 150 kilometers east of the Afghan city of Kunduz. The quake occurred at a depth of over 180 kilometers. As a result, it was felt across a wide area.
In Pakistan, the tremors were reported in Islamabad, Peshawar, Chitral, Swat and Shangla. The Pakistan Meteorological Department confirmed these details. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman said that Kabul and provincial health authorities had been put on alert.
The Hindu Kush earthquake highlights the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. In recent years, similar earthquakes have caused heavy loss of life. For instance, last August, a 6.0 magnitude quake hit eastern Afghanistan. It killed more than 2,200 people and destroyed several villages.
Later, in November, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Samangan province. It killed at last 27 people and injured more than 950 others. The quake also damaged important historical sites, including the Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif and the Bagh-e-Jahan Nama Palace in Khulm.
Earlier, on October 7, 2023, another 6.3 magnitude quake and strong aftershocks killed thousands in western Afghanistan. These repeated disasters show the ongoing risk in the region.
Afghanistan often struggles to respond to such emergencies. Many rural homes are made of mud bricks and wood. Therefore, they collapse easily during strong tremors. This increases the number of casualties, especially in remote areas.
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