Magnitude-5.9 earthquake jolts countries from Tajikistan to India
- The epicentre was in Tajikistan, near the country’s border with China and Afghanistan
- Regional governments in the north-west and in the central province of Punjab in Pakistan put emergency service on high alert
A magnitude-5.9 earthquake hit parts of Central and South Asia on Friday, jolting countries from Tajikistan to India. Strong tremors were felt across Afghanistan and Pakistan, forcing people to flee from houses and other buildings in panic.
The epicentre was in Tajikistan, near the country’s border with China and Afghanistan, at a depth of more than 90km (56 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.
Tremors were felt across Hindukush's Himalayan Mountain range, which runs through both the regions, government officials in Islamabad, Kabul and New Delhi said.
In Pakistan, the tremor lasted for around 30 seconds, meaning its impact was strong, local media reported.
“It was so strong. I thought [the] roof will fall on me. We all ran out,” said Tauqeer Ahmed from the northern Pakistani town of Balakot, where an earthquake killed thousands of people in 2005.