A powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region late Monday night, causing widespread panic and destruction. According to seismologists and Taliban officials, at least nine people were killed and more than 20 others were injured in the disaster.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake struck at 11:47 PM local time at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). The epicenter was in a mountainous area, about 42 km from Asadabad and 42 km from Jalalabad, a city of nearly 280,000 residents.
Tremors Felt Across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India
Strong tremors were felt across several cities in Afghanistan and Pakistan, including Islamabad and Lahore. Reports also confirmed that shaking reached parts of northern India.
According to early USGS assessments, communities close to the epicenter may have experienced “strong to very strong shaking.”
Casualties and Damage
A provincial health spokesperson from the Taliban government confirmed that nine people died, including two children, in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. At least 25 people were injured in the earthquake.
⚠️ Important
The earthquake destruction in the Kunar region of Afghanistan https://t.co/2FODtuvN79 pic.twitter.com/yu0qpcUQ6V
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Why the Region is Prone to Earthquakes
Seismologists note that the Himalaya and Hindu Kush region is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world due to the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This tectonic activity frequently generates quakes of varying intensity.
The Hindu Kush region, in particular, is known for producing deep earthquakes, sometimes occurring more than 100 miles below the Earth’s surface.
The region has witnessed several catastrophic earthquakes in the past:
- 1935 Quetta Earthquake – Tens of thousands of deaths
- 2005 Kashmir Earthquake – Over 80,000 fatalities
