A preliminary 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region on Saturday evening, according to initial seismic assessments. The quake occurred at 7:04 pm IST at a depth of 215 kilometres, with tremors felt across parts of Pakistan and northwestern India. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located approximately 81 kilometres from Kalafgan in northeastern Afghanistan. Tremors were reported in several neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.
Due to its considerable depth, the earthquake’s tremors were felt across a broad geographical region. However, deep-focus earthquakes typically cause less severe damage at the surface than shallower quakes.
In Pakistan’s northern Swat district, residents rushed out of their homes as the tremors shook the area, although there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. “The tremors were very strong here in Swat and lasted for quite some time,” resident Daniyal Ahmad told Reuters. He added that many women and children were left frightened, with people gathering in open spaces amid fears of possible aftershocks.
Seismologists classify a 6.2-magnitude earthquake as a strong seismic event with the potential to cause significant damage. However, the level of destruction largely depends on factors such as the earthquake’s depth, the proximity of populated areas to the epicentre, and the resilience of local infrastructure.
Indian Subcontinent Records Series of Earthquakes in the Past 24 Hours
Earlier on June 27, a 3.2-magnitude shallow earthquake struck Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district at 11:38 am IST. According to seismic data, the quake occurred at a depth of 5 kilometres, with its epicentre located around 22 kilometres north-northwest of Dharamshala in the seismically sensitive Himalayan region. The low-intensity tremor caused no immediate reports of casualties or property damage.
Pakistan experienced four earthquakes within the past 24 hours, including the strongest tremor measuring 5.5 in magnitude, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).
The most recent and powerful quake struck at 8:36 am local time on Saturday. It registered a magnitude of 5.5, occurred at a depth of 40 kilometres, and was centred in Pakistan’s Balochistan region at coordinates 30.271°N, 69.733°E.
Authorities reported no immediate casualties or damage following the seismic activity. The EMSC has reviewed and verified all four earthquake events recorded during the 24-hour period.