"6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southeastern Afghanistan, Casualties Reported"

A strong earthquake, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, was reported late Sunday in southeastern Afghanistan, close to the Pakistan border, as confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake's epicenter was located approximately 22 miles north of Bāsawul, and it occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles at 11:47 p.m. local time. Following the tremor, Naqibullah Rahimi, a spokesperson for the Nangarhar Public Health Department, indicated that 15 individuals sustained injuries and were subsequently treated at a local hospital.

Approximately 20 minutes after the initial quake, a secondary tremor measuring 4.5 in magnitude occurred in the same province, with a depth recorded at 10 kilometers. This region of Afghanistan is situated near the convergence of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, making it prone to seismic activity. The country has a history of devastating earthquakes; for instance, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake on October 7, 2023, led to an estimated 4,000 fatalities as reported by the Taliban government, although the United Nations suggested a lower death toll of around 1,500. The October quake was noted as one of the deadliest natural disasters in Afghanistan's recent history, with UNICEF highlighting that over 90% of the casualties were women and children.

Furthermore, in June 2022, Afghanistan experienced another severe earthquake, registering a magnitude of 5.9, which resulted in more than 1,000 deaths and left over 1,500 individuals injured. This ongoing trend of significant earthquake-related tragedies underscores the vulnerability of the region.