Widespread Quake Tremors
6.2 Magnitude Earthquake in Afghanistan Causes Tremors Across Northern India and Neighboring Countries
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Key Points
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Epicenter was reported to be about 74 km south of Fayzabad in northeastern Afghanistan, at a depth of 215 km, with the USGS placing the epicenter roughly 43 km south of Jurm.
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A Jammu and Kashmir resident described the tremors as causing the chair to shake but reported no damage so far.
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Pakistan also reported tremors, with Islamabad mentioned and social media posts claiming shaking in Lahore and Faisalabad.
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Tremors were felt beyond India and Pakistan, reportedly across China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.
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Different outlets reported slightly different times: many cited 7:04 pm local time, while Srinagar officials later listed the event at 7:04:51 am IST.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region on Saturday evening, sending tremors across eight countries including India, Pakistan, China, and Central Asian nations. The National Centre for Seismology confirmed the quake hit at 7:04:51 PM IST, with its epicentre 43 km south of Jurm in northeastern Afghanistan, at a depth of 215 km, according to National Centre for Seismology.
Residents from Delhi-NCR to Jammu and Kashmir felt strong shaking lasting several seconds. As of the latest updates, no deaths or major structural damage were reported in India, Afghanistan, or Pakistan, according to Mint.
Deep Focus Quake Spared Cities From Heavy Damage
The key reason cities escaped serious destruction is the quake's depth. At 215 km below the surface, it is classified as a "deep-focus" earthquake. That means the energy had to travel a much greater distance before reaching the surface, weakening its destructive force. Experts say this "cushioned" the impact despite the 6.2 magnitude, according to The Tribune.
Even so, the shaking was noticeable and widespread. Srinagar resident Imtiyaz Ahmed said, "I was sitting on a chair inside. The chair shook... Thankfully, there is no damage in this area so far," according to Mint. In Delhi-NCR, ceiling fans swayed and residents of high-rise buildings rushed to open spaces by around 7:15 PM IST, according to India TV News.
Pakistan and Central Asia Also Shook Across Eight Countries
The tremors spread far beyond India. Pakistan reported shaking in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Swat. Daniyal Ahmad, a resident of Swat, said, "The tremors were very strong here and lasted for quite some time... women and children were seen crying as people gathered outdoors," according to The Federal.
The quake was also felt across China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, according to DD India. By 8:00 PM IST, authorities in Srinagar and Islamabad confirmed no immediate casualties. Minor wall cracks were reported in parts of Kabul by 9:00 PM IST, according to The New Indian Express.
Hindu Kush Is One of Earth's Most Dangerous Seismic Zones
The Hindu Kush sits on the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Indian plate pushes under the Eurasian plate, building enormous pressure. This makes the region one of the most earthquake-prone areas on Earth, according to The Tribune.
The area has a grim recent record. In August 2025, a shallow 6.0-magnitude quake in eastern Afghanistan killed over 2,200 people. In April 2026, a 5.8-magnitude quake in Badakhshan province killed 12. Today's event was deeper, which limited the damage, but experts warn that a shallow quake of similar size could be catastrophic, according to The New Indian Express.
Afghanistan's Fragile Communities Face Ongoing Earthquake Risk
Even without mass casualties, repeated tremors worsen conditions in Afghanistan's poorest provinces. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that Afghanistan is "extremely susceptible to natural hazards" and that quakes impact "already fragile communities," according to Mint.
In India, experts are now calling for a review of building standards in Delhi-NCR, which sits in Seismic Zone 4, a high-risk category. About 59% of India's land area is vulnerable to earthquakes, according to India TV News. Authorities say they are monitoring for aftershocks, while the NCS and USGS continue to assess final data on the quake's magnitude and depth, according to neherald.com.
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