On Tuesday, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Pakistan and Afghanistan, causing panic and destruction in the affected areas. The earthquake was centered in Afghanistan and was felt in bordering Tajikistan. The earthquake triggered landslides in some of the mountainous areas, causing further damage and casualties. Strong tremors were also felt for several seconds in various parts of northern India, including Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.
According to the Associated Press, at least 11 people died in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and over 100 people were brought to hospitals in the Swat valley region of Pakistan. Many people were seen fleeing their homes and offices as a result of the earthquake. The earthquake was so powerful that it caused some people to collapse due to shock.
Reports from Pakistan media suggest that cracks have appeared in some apartment buildings in Islamabad. The earthquake struck 188 kilometers deep below the Earth's surface, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Sharafat Zaman Amar, the Taliban’s appointed spokesman for the public health ministry, said that at least two people died and around 20 others were injured. He also warned that there could be more casualties as the quake was so powerful and affected most parts of the country. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for Taliban tweeted that all health centers were on standby.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that he had asked disaster management officials to remain vigilant to handle any situation following the earthquake. This is a crucial step, as earthquakes can cause significant damage to infrastructure and pose a significant threat to public safety.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which are both located in a seismically active region. The Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan is particularly prone to earthquakes, with many of them being of high magnitude. Earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, and can result in the ground shaking and often cause significant damage to buildings and other structures.