A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan near its border with Pakistan on Sunday, killing at least nine people, government officials said.
The temblor struck around 11:47 p.m. in Nangarhar province. The epicenter was at a depth of 8.7 miles, about 17 miles west-southwest of Jalalabad and 27 miles south of Markaz-e Woluswali-ye Achin, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Jalalabad is about 74 miles east of the capital of Kabul.
Ajmal Darwaish, spokesman for the Nangarhar province’s health ministry, said at least nine people died and more than two dozen people were injured there, according to Sky News.
Aftershocks of 4.5- and 5.2-magnitude followed the main earthquake in the minutes after.
Pakistan’s Geo News reported the shaking was felt as far as Lahore, Peshawar, Mardan and Murree.
“Sadly, tonight’s earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.
“Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people. Support teams from the center and nearby provinces are also on their way.”
(UPI)
