A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s mountainous Hindu Kush region on Wednesday, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported. The tremor occurred at a depth of 121 kilometers (75 miles), with its epicenter located approximately 164 kilometers east of Baghlan, a city of around 108,000 residents.
The quake was felt across several provinces in northern and northeastern Afghanistan, as well as in parts of neighboring Pakistan and Tajikistan, where seismic activity from the Hindu Kush is frequently experienced due to the region’s complex tectonic setting.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage; however, officials and emergency responders are assessing rural and mountainous areas where communication is limited and infrastructure is fragile.
The Hindu Kush region is one of the most seismically active zones in the world, located at the intersection of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Earthquakes in the region are not uncommon and often occur at considerable depths, which can reduce surface impact but still pose risks to poorly constructed buildings and remote communities.
Local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly in areas where aftershocks could occur. Aid organizations are on standby in case humanitarian support is needed.
This latest earthquake serves as a stark reminder of Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, which often exacerbate existing challenges in a country already grappling with economic hardship and limited emergency infrastructure.
