Earthquake of magnitude 6.1 hits Afghanistan; tremors felt in northern India, parts of Pakistan

An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Afghanistan on Thursday (Jan 11). The tremors of the quake, which had its epicentre in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan were also felt in India and neighbouring Pakistan. The effect in India was, however, milder compared to the other two countries.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) the earthquake with magnitude6.0 jolted parts of the country.There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Effect in Pakistan

Add WION as a Preferred Source

According to DawnNewsTV,tremors were felt in the Pakistani cities ofIslamabadLahore and its surrounding areas, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The epicentre of the earthquake was said to be Afghanistan's Hindu Kush Region and it took place around 14:20 (PST), said the PMD.

The recent tremorcame around a week after Pakistan'sQuetta district andadjoining areas were hit by a 4.6 magnitude earthquake, prompting residents to evacuate their homes around 11:10 am (local time).

Notably, theepicentre of that quake was alsoAfghanistan's Hindu Kush Region, according to the PMD.

ALSO READ |Afghanistan: Taliban detain and lash young girls for violating hijab rules

Pakistan emergency services spokespersonBilal Ahmad Faizi said its control room had not received any distress calls or reports about any loss of lives or propertyafter the quake on Thursday, so far, reported Dawn.

Quake in Afghanistan jolts northern India

"Earthquake of Magnitude:6.1, Occurred on 11-01-2024, 14:50:24 IST, Lat: 36.48 & Long: 70.45, Depth: 220 Km ,Location: Afghanistan," said India's National Center for Seismology, in a post on X.

The tremorcaused panic among people, with many in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR)reported shaking of furniture.

Images and videos show people inNew Delhiand its surrounding areas likeNoida, Ghaziabad, and Gurgaon rushing out of their homes and offices after the tremors around 2:50 pm (local time).

Afghanistan earthquakes

The recent earthquakes in Afghanistan comemonths after the country was shaken by itsdeadliest quake.In October 2023, an earthquakestruck the country's Herat province, which led to the death of around 1,000 people and injured thousands of others, according toAfghanistan's disaster management ministry.

ALSO READ |Afghanistan hit by the deadliest earthquake in years

A spokesperson from theTaliban administration had also said that the6.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed around1,320 houses.

(With inputs from agencies)