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Afghanistan Struck by Powerful Earthquake | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
KABUL, Afghanistan — A powerful earthquake hit northeastern Afghanistan on Monday afternoon, the United States Geological Survey said. The quake registered a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 and was felt in parts of Pakistan and India, as far away as New Delhi. | |
At least 74 people were reported killed, but that figure seemed likely to rise significantly. | |
The quake, which struck at 1:39 p.m., was centered in the Hindu Kush mountain range, the agency said, about 28 miles southwest of the district of Jurm in Afghanistan and about 160 miles northeast of Kabul, the nation’s capital. The quake’s depth was reported as 132 miles. | |
People poured into the streets of Kabul, where buildings shook for at least two minutes. | |
Reverberations were felt across several provinces in Afghanistan, particularly in the north. The shaking damaged communication lines, making initial damage difficult to assess. | |
The country’s chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, called an emergency meeting of senior officials to respond to the disaster. | |
“This is the strongest earthquake that has happened in our country in recent years,” Mr. Abdullah said, warning of the possibility of aftershocks. | |
In Takhar Province, the collapse of a school building left 12 students dead and 40 others injured, according to Sunatullah Taimoor, a spokesman for the Takhar provincial governor. Some of the victims, all girls aged 6 to 16, were killed in a stampede, he said. | |
In Baghlan Province, 12 students were injured after a high school collapsed in the city of Pul-i-Kumri, according to Mohammad Nasir Kohzad, the provincial head of national disaster management. Extensive damage was also reported in the areas of Borka and Aq Kotal. | In Baghlan Province, 12 students were injured after a high school collapsed in the city of Pul-i-Kumri, according to Mohammad Nasir Kohzad, the provincial head of national disaster management. Extensive damage was also reported in the areas of Borka and Aq Kotal. |
In Nangrahar Province, health officials said seven people were killed and 77 others injured. | |
In Parwan Province, three people were killed and 13 injured, and 50 houses collapsed, according to Bahauddin Jilani, leader of the provincial council. | |
At least 52 people were also reported dead in Pakistan, according to official figures from the United Nations. | |
In northern Pakistan, dozens of people were reported injured by falling roofs and walls. At least 10 people were hurt when a school wall collapsed in Sargodha, a city in Punjab Province. Telephone and mobile phone services were disrupted in several cities. | In northern Pakistan, dozens of people were reported injured by falling roofs and walls. At least 10 people were hurt when a school wall collapsed in Sargodha, a city in Punjab Province. Telephone and mobile phone services were disrupted in several cities. |
Pakistani Army troops were ordered to provide relief to any people affected by the quake, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked rescue workers to be on alert. | Pakistani Army troops were ordered to provide relief to any people affected by the quake, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asked rescue workers to be on alert. |
South Asia, where the Indian tectonic plate collides with the Eurasian plate, has a history of devastating earthquakes. In April, more than 8,700 people were killed in Nepal’s worst earthquake in 80 years. In 2005, tens of thousands were killed in an earthquake centered in the Kashmir region. | South Asia, where the Indian tectonic plate collides with the Eurasian plate, has a history of devastating earthquakes. In April, more than 8,700 people were killed in Nepal’s worst earthquake in 80 years. In 2005, tens of thousands were killed in an earthquake centered in the Kashmir region. |