A strong earthquake jolted eastern Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul, on Friday, according to reports from journalists and residents.
The 5.8-magnitude tremor struck a mountainous region about 130 kilometers northeast of Kabul, the United States Geological Survey said. The quake hit at 5:39 p.m. local time, as many people were preparing to break their Ramadan fast.
“We were waiting for iftar when a powerful earthquake shook us. It was very strong and lasted nearly 30 seconds,” said Zilgay Talabi, a resident of Khenj district near the epicenter. He added that residents feared possible landslides and avalanches.
Parts of Kabul briefly experienced power outages, while the tremor was also felt in Nangarhar province to the east. Witnesses in Bamiyan and Wardak provinces, west of the capital, reported similar shaking.
Authorities said they were assessing the situation. Haqmal Saad, spokesperson for Panjshir province police, described the quake as “very strong,” while Mohibullah Jahid, head of the province’s Natural Disaster Management agency, said initial reports indicated only minor damage, such as wall cracks, with no immediate reports of house collapses.
Earthquakes frequently occur in Afghanistan, particularly along the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates converge.
The region has experienced several deadly earthquakes in recent years. A 6.0-magnitude quake last year killed more than 2,200 people, while other major tremors in Herat and Nangarhar have caused widespread destruction.
Afghanistan’s vulnerability is worsened by fragile infrastructure, poorly constructed rural housing, and communication challenges that often delay rescue and assessment efforts in remote mountainous areas.
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