Devastating Earthquake in Northern Afghanistan Claims Eight Lives
Tragic Earthquake in Afghanistan
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Kabul, April 4: A powerful earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale has resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals in northern Afghanistan, as reported by Mohammad Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority.
The quake caused a house in Kabul province to collapse, leading to the fatalities of eight residents and injuring one child, Hammad confirmed late Friday night.
Strong tremors were felt in Kabul, with the earthquake's epicenter located at a depth of 186.4 km, specifically at coordinates 36.55 degrees north latitude and 70.85 degrees east longitude, according to reports.
Residents across Delhi-NCR and various regions in North India also experienced tremors on Friday night, prompting many to flee their homes and workplaces in panic.
Reports of the tremors came from several areas, including Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, as well as parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Many individuals reported feeling sudden jolts while seated, with furniture and hanging items swaying noticeably. Although the shaking lasted only a few seconds, it was strong enough to be distinctly felt indoors.
In response to the quake, residents in numerous neighborhoods stepped outside for safety, while office workers briefly evacuated their buildings. Many gathered in open areas, awaiting further information.
Afghanistan frequently experiences various natural disasters, with earthquakes being particularly deadly, averaging around 560 fatalities annually and causing damages estimated in millions. Research indicates that since 1990, Afghanistan has experienced at least 355 earthquakes with a magnitude exceeding 5.0.
Situated on the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate, Afghanistan shares a transgression zone with the Indian plate, which can lead to convergence or lateral movement, and is also affected by the Arabian plate to the south, making it one of the most seismically active regions globally.
The northward shift of the Indian plate and its interaction with the Eurasian plate are primarily responsible for the frequent earthquakes in Afghanistan.
Regions in eastern and northeastern Afghanistan, particularly near the borders with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, are especially vulnerable to seismic activity.
This includes densely populated Kabul, which suffers the highest estimated earthquake-related damages, amounting to millions annually, according to studies.
Earthquakes pose significant risks in Afghanistan's mountainous areas, where they can trigger landslides, further increasing the potential for loss of life and property.