South Asia, NASA Image
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake shook parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and India on Wednesday, with report of a death in Balochistan province.
According to Seismological Center, the quake had its epicenter near Afghanistan’s Jarm are, which was also hit by a devastating 7.5 magnitude quake in October 2015 that triggered landslides and flattened buildings, killing more than 380 people across the region at that time.
At least one infant was killed and nine of her family members reported injured in southwest Pakistan’s Balochistan province, following the collapse of a roof on their home in Lasbela town.
The temblor was felt in the Afghan capital Kabul and the Pakistan capital Islamabad and elsewhere in both countries.
New Delhi and several parts of northern India also experienced tremors.
Although tremors, lasted a few seconds, the sudden jolt forced people in the Indian capital to run out of their homes and offices. Delhi Metro Train immediately halted operations.
The jolts of the earthquake were felt in Balochistan, Khaber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Northern Areas, Islamabad Capital Territory and other adjoining areas.
National Seismic Monitoring Centre Director Zahid Rafi said that Pakistan experienced two earthquakes.
“The first earthquake of 4.9 magnitude struck Balochistan’s Bela town at 10am,” he said, adding that “the second earthquake’s tremors were felt in Pakistan at 12:07pm.”
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, at least 10 people were reported injured, including from stampedes.
In Islamabad, state buildings, including the Supreme Court and Parliament, were also evacuated as the tremors struck.
