Strong Earthquake Wrecks Severe Damage Near Afghanistan-Pakistan Border

The U.S. Geological Survey has said that a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck southern Asia on Monday afternoon. The epicenter was 45 kilometers (28 miles) south-southwest of Jarm, Afghanistan, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

 

Abdullah Abdullah, chief executive of Afghanistan, said in a tweet. "Reports coming of damage and injuries in north eastern Afghanistan," adding, "Disasters authorities to meet within the hour and respond to the needs."

 

 

CNN teams in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan all felt strong tremors as USGS map showed that shaking traveled into Tajikistan as well. The quake's epicenter was at a depth of 213.5 kilometers (132.7 miles).

 

In northwestern Pakistan, at least 12 people were killed, including one in the city of Peshawar, according to government officials. Injured people were pouring into Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital, an official said.

 

 

"We received 50 injured and more are being shifted. The injured suffered multiple injuries due to building collapse," said hospital spokesman Syed Jamil Shah.

 

In the Afghan capital, Kabul, buildings shook violently but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

 

International aid agencies working in the northern areas of Afghanistan reported that cell phone coverage in the affected areas remained down in the hour after the initial quake.