6.0 magnitude earthquake hits Pakistan and other countries

ISLAMABAD: An earthquake of 6.0 magnitude struck the region near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in early hours on Monday, shaking parts of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

According to preliminary data, the epicenter was located approximately 23 kilometers from Afghanistan, with tremors reported at 12:17 AM Pakistan Standard Time. The quake’s depth and precise coordinates have yet to be officially confirmed.

The National Seismic Monitoring Centre of the Pakistan Meteorological Department said the quake struck with a magnitude of 6, its epicentre located in southeastern Afghanistan.

The tremors were felt in various northern areas, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore, and parts of Kashmir. Tremors were also felt in across the border in northern India, eastern Afghanistan, and southern Tajikistan.

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The intensity caused panic in several cities, with residents rushing out of homes and buildings.

According to a media report by NBC, Taliban officials have said that nearly 250 people are reportedly dead, with hundreds more injured after buildings collapsed in different regions of Afghanistan due to the earthquake. BBC, however, is reporting the death toll to be much lower, at nearly 13 by Monday morning. Reports are still pouring in.

Sadiq Khan