Kabul, April 4: A powerful earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck northern Afghanistan, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least eight individuals. Mohammad Yusuf Hamad, spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, confirmed the fatalities.
The earthquake caused a house to collapse in Kabul province late Friday night, leading to the loss of eight lives and injuring one child.
Strong tremors were also felt in the capital, Kabul. According to reports from the Xinhua news agency, the earthquake’s epicenter was located at a latitude of 36.55 degrees north and a longitude of 70.85 degrees east, with a depth of 186.4 kilometers.
Tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR and various parts of northern India on Friday night, causing panic among residents who rushed out of their homes and office buildings.
Areas such as Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, along with regions in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, reported the earthquake.
Witnesses described sudden jolts while seated, causing furniture and other items in their homes to shake. Many noted that the tremors lasted only a few seconds but were strong enough to be felt indoors.
In several residential areas, people evacuated their homes as a precaution, while those in offices stepped outside for safety.
Afghanistan frequently experiences various natural disasters, with earthquakes being particularly deadly. On average, around 560 people lose their lives each year due to seismic activity, resulting in approximately $80 million in damages annually. Studies indicate that since 1990, Afghanistan has recorded at least 355 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or higher.
Situated on the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate, Afghanistan shares a transgression zone with the Indian plate. This positioning means the two plates can collide or touch each other, and the region is also influenced by the Arabian plate to the south, making it one of the most tectonically active areas in the world.
The northward movement of the Indian plate and its collision with the Eurasian plate are typically responsible for many earthquakes in Afghanistan.
Eastern and northeastern Afghanistan, particularly areas bordering Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, are especially vulnerable to seismic activity.
This includes the densely populated city of Kabul, where studies suggest the average estimated annual loss from earthquakes is around $17 million.
Earthquakes in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions can be particularly hazardous, often triggering landslides that exacerbate the loss of life and property.
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