KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A
strong earthquake in northern Afghanistan was felt across much of South
Asia on Monday, shaking buildings from Kabul to Delhi and cutting power
and communications in some areas.
The
United States Geological Service put the magnitude of the earthquake at
7.7 and said its epicenter was in the far northern province of
Badakhshan, which borders Tajikistan and China. USGS said it was 213
kilometers (132.3 miles) deep and 73 kilometers (45 miles) south of the
Badakhshan capital, Fayzabad.
"There
are reports of casualties and destruction" in some remote districts of
Badakhshan, said the provincial director of the national disaster
management authority, Abdullah Humayoon Dehqan.
Power
was cut across much of the Afghan capital, where tremors were felt for
around 45 seconds. Houses shook, walls cracked and cars rolled in the
street. Officials in the capital could not be immediately reached as
telephones appeared to be cut across the country.
In
Pakistan, Zahid Rafiq, an official with the meteorological department,
said the quake was felt across the country. In Islamabad, buildings
shook and people poured into the streets in a panic, with many reciting
verses from the Quran.
"I was
praying when the massive earthquake rattled my home. I came out in a
panic," said Munir Anwar, a resident of Liaquat Pur in the eastern
Punjab province.
The quake
was also felt in the Indian capital New Delhi, though no damage was
immediately reported. Office buildings swayed and workers who had just
returned from lunch ran out of buildings and gathered in the street or
in parking lots.
No comments:
Post a Comment