Kabul: An earthquake of magnitude 5.5 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan on Wednesday evening, according to the National Center for Seismology. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties following the earthquake.
When did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake occurred at 11:27 pm Indian Standard Time (IST) on Wednesday. The epicenter of the earthquake was located at a latitude of 36.443 N and a longitude of 70.391 E. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 173 kilometers. No casualties or property damage have been reported.
Earthquakes occur frequently in Afghanistan. In fact, the area known as the Hindu Kush is a seismically active zone. This is because Afghanistan lies at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
What did the NCS say?
The National Center for Seismology (NCS) stated in a post on the social media platform X that the earthquake struck at 11:27 pm Indian time at a depth of 173 kilometers. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or loss of life or property.
According to the Red Cross, earthquakes are frequent in Afghanistan, especially in the Hindu Kush region, which is a highly earthquake-prone zone.
What did UNOCHA say?
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) states that Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and seasonal flooding. Frequent earthquakes exacerbate the situation for communities already grappling with decades of conflict and limited development, leaving them with little capacity to withstand multiple shocks.
What is the situation in Venezuela?
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela last week, killing more than 1,900 people. Rescue and relief efforts are still underway. National Assembly President Jorge Ramirez announced on Tuesday that at least 1,943 people had died, nearly 200 more than the previous day, according to reports.
However, the death toll is believed to be much higher. According to the US Geological Survey, it is highly likely that thousands have died.
