A 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Nuristan province jolted eastern Afghanistan early on Wednesday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed. The tremor struck Parun City, the provincial capital, at 3:43 a.m. local time, startling residents in the remote mountainous region that borders Pakistan.
According to the USGS, the quake’s epicenter was located at 35.95°N latitude and 70.56°E longitude, at a depth of 99 kilometers, indicating a relatively deep seismic event.
No Immediate Reports of Casualties
Nuristan province, known for its difficult terrain and limited connectivity, has yet to report any casualties or structural damage. Poor telecommunications and restricted internet access continue to hinder rapid assessment of the impact in the affected areas.
Seismic Activity in the Region
Eastern Afghanistan, especially near the Hindu Kush range, is seismically active and has experienced several moderate to strong earthquakes in the past. The depth of the quake typically reduces the surface-level impact, but structures in rural regions like Nuristan may still be vulnerable.
Authorities and local disaster response units are yet to issue an official statement, and further details will likely emerge as communications improve.
