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11 killed, 100 people injured in Afghanistan-Pakistan earthquake; parts of India hit by tremors
22 Mar, 2023 / 11:15 AM / OMNES Media LLC

Source: http://www.mashable.com

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Mashable: The quake saw many people running outside of their homes and offices.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan and rattled Pakistan and parts of India on Tuesday evening, reports The Associated Press, BBC, and Al Jazeera. Many residents were seen running away from their offices and homes, while people in remote villages were afraid. Reports say between 11 to 13 people have died in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

According to US Geological Survey, the 6.5 quake occurred 40 kilometres south-southeast of Jurm, located in Hindukush mountain region of Afghanistan. It also borders Pakistan and Tajikistan. The quake struck 188 kilometres (116 miles) deep below the Earth's surface, hence it managed to hit so many parts of the countries.

Bilal Faizi, the spokesperson for Pakistan's emergency services, told The Associated Press that about 100 people had to be admitted to hospitals in Pakistan’s Swat valley region, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as they suffered shock.

Faiz said people “collapsed: because they were terrified due to the “shock of the earthquake,” but most were discharged later.

Faizi reveals that 9 people passed away because the roofs collapsed in parts of northwestern Pakistan. Approximately a dozen people suffered injuries.The quake began in the centre of Afghanistan, but the tremors were felt in bordering Tajikistan. It also led to landslides in some mountainous areas, as it disrupted traffic.

About 19 mudbrick homes were devastated in a remote area, says Taimoor Khan, who works for the provincial disaster management authority. He added that the team is “still collecting data” about the devastation.

 

People fled their homes and offices in Islamabad, and reports reveal cracks were seen in some buildings in the city.

Sharafat Zaman Amar, Taliban’s spokesperson for the public health ministry, said that two people died in Afghanistan and about 20 more were injured.

He added that there “could be more casualties” due to the quake. He also noted that hospitals and other facilities are working towards saving lives.

Kabul resident, Shafiullah Azimi, said the earthquake was so “strong” that houses were “collapsing on us”, with many Afghanis shouting.

Another Kabuli, Aziz Ahmad, revealed that this was the “first time” he “experienced such a powerful quake.” He also revealed that people did not “dare” to return to their homes due to the fear of the earthquake.

Parts of Rawalpindi and Peshawar had seen similar scenes, with people standing outside their homes.Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistani Prime Minister, asked the disaster management team to stay vigilant until things settle down.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government’s spokesperson in Afghanistan, said in Tweet that the Ministry of Public Health wants all the health centres to be alert.

In 2005, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed thousands of people in Pakistan and Kashmir. In 2022, Afghanistan saw a 6.1 magnitude quake hit the mountainous region, which the Taliban says killed 1,150 people but the UN believed the estimate is around 770.