6.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Afghanistan's northeast; felt in Pakistan, India

An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale shook Afghanistan's northeastern Badakhshan province on Saturday, with the tremors extending to neighboring Pakistan and India, including their capitals. The quake occurred at approximately 6:05 p.m. local time (13:35 GMT) at a depth of 199 kilometers, with its epicenter located in the Jurm district, a region known for its seismic activity within the Hindu Kush mountain range.

Local officials in Badakhshan reported that initial assessments indicated no casualties or material damage in the immediate vicinity of the earthquake. Mohammad Akbar Akbari, the province's disaster management director, stated that while the earthquake was relatively strong and felt across several provinces, nearby areas had not reported any significant impact.

The earthquake also caused unease among residents in Kabul and other parts of northeastern Afghanistan. The de facto Taliban authorities confirmed that initial evaluations did not suggest any substantial consequences. Similar reports of the tremor being felt in Islamabad, Pakistan, and northern India have emerged, with authorities in both countries also not reporting any damage thus far.

Badakhshan province, situated along the Hindu Kush range, is highly prone to earthquakes and frequently experiences seismic activity, making it a recurring epicenter for tremors in the country. This latest event adds to the region's history of seismic vulnerability.

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The earthquake was relatively strong and was felt in Badakhshan province as well as several other provinces. According to the reports we have received so far, there have been no casualties or material damage in the nearby areas of Badakhshan.