Islamabad/Kabul: A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan today, with the tremors felt as far away as India and Pakistan, where one girl was killed and several others injured. The quake hit at 12:37 IST near Afghanistan’s northern border with Tajikistan in the Hindu Kush mountains at a depth of 191 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said. The epicentre was in Jurm district of Afghanistan’s Badakhshan Province, Tolo News reported. In Kabul, at least two heavy tremors were felt – which sent people running out on the streets. Three persons were injured in Afghanistan’s Jurm district, an official said. Jurm is the same area which was the centre a devastating 7.5 magnitude quake in October 2015 that triggered landslides and flattened buildings, killing more than 380 people across the region, AFP news agency said. Across the border in Pakistan, homes, offices and schools were quickly evacuated in Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore. In Pakistan’s Quetta town, one girl was killed after the roof of her house collapsed during the earthquake. Deputy Commissioner Shabir Mengal said they were also incid were injured due to building damages or collapses.
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