Over 800 killed as earthquake of 6.0 magnitude hits Afghanistan, Taliban urges international assistance

PTC Web Desk: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck southeastern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, causing deaths and widespread tremors across the region. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake was recorded at 00:47:41 IST, with its epicentre located at latitude 34.50N and longitude 70.81E at a depth of 160 km.

Naqibullah Rahimi, spokesperson for the Nangarhar Public Health Department, confirmed that at least 800 people lost their lives and 15 others sustained injuries. The death toll is likely to rise after deadly quake turned homes to rubbles while several others feared trapped. The tremors were felt across Pakistan and northern India, including the Delhi-NCR region, where residents rushed out of their homes as buildings shook violently. The main quake was followed by a series of aftershocks, with magnitudes of 4.7, 4.3, 5.0, and 5.0, raising fears of further structural damage.

Seismologists classify the tremors as shallow to intermediate earthquakes, which are typically more destructive than deep ones. Because the seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the Earth’s surface, they cause stronger ground shaking, increasing the risk of structural collapse and casualties.

The quake highlights the growing seismic risk across Afghanistan and the Himalayan belt, where tectonic stress has been mounting. The region sits on the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a geological process that has shaped the Himalayan mountains for millions of years and continues to trigger frequent earthquakes.

Experts warn that densely populated valleys, fragile infrastructure, and limited preparedness make the area especially vulnerable to future quakes.