Over 800 killed after strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake rocks Afghanistan, rescue ops underway

The quake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles)

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border on Monday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported. The quake occurred at around 00:47:41 IST, with its epicentre located at latitude 34.50N and longitude 70.81E, at a depth of 160 km.

Over 800 people have been killed, while search is on in remote areas to establish the exact numbers, according to a spokesperson for the Taliban government.

Tremors from the quake were experienced across Pakistan and northern India, with Delhi-NCR residents describing buildings swaying and people fleeing to open areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths in the quake and added that India was ready to provide all possible support. "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected," he wrote on X.

Around 20 minutes afterward the quake, the province recorded another jolt, measuring 4.7 in magnitude at a depth of 140 kilometers, as per NCS.

“EQ of M: 4.7, On: 01/09/2025 01:08:13 IST, Lat: 34.62 N, Long: 70.92 E, Depth: 140 Km, Location: Afghanistan,” NCS stated in a post on X.

This was followed by a 4.3 magnitude and a 5.0 magnitude tremor at 140 km and 40 km depth, respectively.

“EQ of M: 4.3, On: 01/09/2025 01:59:44 IST, Lat: 34.58 N, Long: 70.78 E, Depth: 140 Km, Location: Afghanistan,” NCS stated in a separate post.

“EQ of M: 5.0, On: 01/09/2025 03:03:25 IST, Lat: 34.55 N, Long: 70.81 E, Depth: 40 Km, Location: Afghanistan,” it added in another post.

All these tremors are classified as either shallow or intermediate earthquakes, depending on the depth.

Shallow and intermediate earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures, as well as greater casualties.

Afghanistan has a history of powerful earthquakes, and the Hindu Kush Mountain range is a geologically active area where quakes occur every year, according to the Red Cross.

Afghanistan sits on numerous fault lines between the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates, with a fault line also running directly through Herat.