Kabul, Afghanistan: Earthquake hit Pakistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan where Nuristan was partially destroyed
Dushanbe, Tajikistan: An earthquake measured 7.7 at Richter scale magnitude hit Tajkistan, Afghankstan and Pakistan and the United States Geological Survey said that the earthquake epicenter was 45 km North of Alaqahdari-ye Kiran wa Munjan, Afghanistan. At least 12 schoolgirls have been killed in the city of Taloqan, Takhar Province, in northeastern Afghanistan while attempting to escape the quake, the head of provincial disaster agency said , as cited by Reuters.
Earthquake jolted Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Jolts were recorded as far as Lahore in Pakistan.
Major damages from Pakistan are being reported from Chitral, Hunza and Gilgit valleys while Northern Afghanistan and Gorno Badakheshan of Tajikistan were most damaged areas.
Earthquake was originated from Nuristan Afghanistan where Afghan Taliban have stronghold therefore information are not reaching instantly. Panjshir province of Afghanistan was also partially destroyed.
Autonomous region of Gorno Badakheshan in Tajikistan was strongly hit by the earthquake.
Nearby cities include:
45km (28mi) N of `Alaqahdari-ye Kiran wa Munjan, Afghanistan
48km (30mi) SSW of Jarm, Afghanistan
76km (47mi) S of Fayzabad, Afghanistan
77km (48mi) WSW of Ashkasham, Afghanistan
254km (158mi) NNE of Kabul, Afghanistan
Reports gathering from Pakistan suggested that Chitral and Gilgit received worst damage while Nuristan of Afghanistan was partially destroyed. Initial estimates suggested that over an area of 50 Km was fully destroyed while partial destruction was reported in the radius of 100 Km around epicenter. It may be mentioned that a big earthquake was reported in 2005 October in same region. Destruction was less because epicenter was almost 212 km deep inside earth therefore this earthquake was not shallow as it was in October 2005.
Taliban controlled most of Nuristan region of Afghanistan and leadership of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also lives in same area.
Indian Prime Minister Mr. Modi condoled with leadership of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Heard about strong earthquake in Afghanistan-Pakistan region whose tremors have been felt in parts of India. I pray for everyone’s safety.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015
Modi has offered his assistance to Pakistan and Afghanistan
I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015
