Over 800 Killed, 2500 Injured As 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Afghanistan
According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at 00:47:41 IST, with its epicentre located at latitude 34.50°N and longitude 70.81°E, at a depth of 160 km.
At least 800 people were killed and 2,500 others injured after a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.0 on the Richter scale struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday. Tremors were felt across the Hindu Kush region in the mountainous area close to the border with Pakistan.
The earthquake hit a series of towns in Kunar province, situated near the cit of Jalalabad in the neighbouring Nangahar province. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 6.0 magnitude earthquake occurredat 11:47 PM and was centered 27 kilometers (17 miles) east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, Associated Press reported.
The Kunar Disaster Management Authority said in a statement that the casualties were reported in Kunar province's Nur Gal, Sawki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara districts.
Jalalabad is a bustling city due to its proximity with neighboring Pakistan and a key border crossing between the countries. It also has a considerable agriculture and farming, with the Kabul River flowing through the city.
According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake occurred at 00:47:41 IST at a depth of 160 km. Its epicentre was located at latitude 34.50°N and longitude 70.81°E.
"EQ of M: 6.3, On: 01/09/2025 00:47:41 IST, Lat: 34.50 N, Long: 70.81 E, Depth: 160 Km, Location: Afghanistan," NCS stated in a post on X.
NCS stated that this initial earthquake was followed by aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between 4 and 5.
Following the 6.0 magnitude earthquake, a 4.7 magnitude tremor occurred at a depth of around 140 km. This aftershock was not far from the epicentre of the initial tremor.
"EQ of M: 4.7, On: 01/09/2025 01:08:13 IST, Lat: 34.62 N, Long: 70.92 E, Depth: 140 Km, Location: Afghanistan," NCS stated in a post on X.
This quake was followed by two tremors of 4.3 and 5.0 magnitude at 140 km and 40 km depth, respectively.
"EQ of M: 4.3, On: 01/09/2025 01:59:44 IST, Lat: 34.58 N, Long: 70.78 E, Depth: 140 Km, Location: Afghanistan," NCS stated in a separate post.
"EQ of M: 5.0, On: 01/09/2025 03:03:25 IST, Lat: 34.55 N, Long: 70.81 E, Depth: 40 Km, Location: Afghanistan," it added in another post.
All these tremors are classified as either shallow or intermediate earthquakes, depending on the depth.
In October, 2023, an earthquake in Afghanistan's western province of Herat killed at least 2,400 people, the Taliban administration said.
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