Powerful 6.2 earthquake rocks Afghanistan, tremors shake India, Pakistan

Although the earthquake was felt across a vast area, authorities reported no immediate casualties or major damage.

According to preliminary seismic data, the earthquake occurred at 7:04 pm IST at a depth of 215 kilometres.

The epicentre was located around 81 kilometres from Kalafgan in northeastern Afghanistan.

Earthquake felt across multiple countries

The earthquake's considerable depth allowed the tremors to travel across a wide geographical region.

Residents reported feeling the shaking in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.

Seismologists classify a magnitude 6.2 earthquake as a strong seismic event capable of causing significant damage under certain conditions.

However, earthquakes originating deep beneath the Earth's surface generally produce less severe destruction because much of their energy dissipates before reaching ground level.

Panic in Pakistan

The earthquake prompted panic in Pakistan's northern Swat district, where residents rushed out of their homes fearing aftershocks.

"The tremors were very strong here in Swat and lasted for quite some time," a local resident told the media.

He added that many women and children were visibly distressed as people gathered in open spaces following the quake.

Despite the widespread tremors, there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage in Pakistan.

Series of earthquakes recorded

The Afghanistan earthquake came amid heightened seismic activity across the Indian subcontinent over the past 24 hours.

Earlier on Friday, India recorded a shallow magnitude 3.2 earthquake in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district at 11:38 am IST.

The tremor originated at a depth of five kilometres, with its epicentre located about 22 kilometres north-northwest of Dharamshala in the seismically active Himalayan region.

Authorities classified the Himachal Pradesh earthquake as low intensity, and no casualties or damage were reported.

Meanwhile, Pakistan experienced four earthquakes within the past 24 hours, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

The strongest of these measured magnitude 5.5 and struck at 8:36 am local time on Saturday.

The earthquake originated at a depth of 40 kilometres, with its epicentre located in Pakistan's Balochistan region at coordinates 30.271°N and 69.733°E.

The EMSC confirmed all four seismic events. No immediate reports of casualties or property damage were received following the earthquakes.

Authorities continue monitoring situation

Officials across the affected countries are continuing to monitor the situation following the powerful Afghanistan earthquake.

While the deep-focus quake was widely felt across South and Central Asia, authorities have not reported any significant impact on infrastructure or loss of life.

Seismic agencies are expected to issue updated assessments if additional information becomes available.