Moderate earthquake jolts northern Afghanistan, felt in Pakistan and Tajikistan

Moderate earthquake jolts northern Afghanistan, felt in Pakistan and Tajikistan

2011-03-21 17:21:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- A moderate but deep earthquake struck the Hindu Kush Region in northern Afghanistan on early Monday afternoon, seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The 5.6-magnitude earthquake at 2.19 p.m. local time (0949 GMT) was centered about 69 kilometers (42 miles) south-southeast of Fayzabad, a district in Badakhshan Province of northern Afghanistan. It struck about 184.6 kilometers (114.7 miles) deep, making it a deep earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Minor to moderate shaking was felt across the region, which included parts of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, northern Pakistan and northern India. No damage was expected nor immediately reported.

The USGS estimated that approximately 5.7 million people may have felt weak shaking as a result of the earthquake. "There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage," the agency said.

In September 2010, a strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the same reason at a depth of 199 kilometers (124 miles). It was felt widely across the region, but caused no damage or casualties.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-21