AT-KABUL: About 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Saturday, creating panic among the masses. However, there was no immediate report of damage or casualty.
According to the US Geological Survey, the magnitude of the earthquake was 5.3 on the Richter scale. However, the State Ministry of Disaster Management Affairs said that it was 5.2-magnitude earthquake.
The epicenter of the quake was Hindu Kush region, 37 kilometer southeast of Jurm district of Badakhshan province. According to GEOFON, its depth was 178 kilometers. The quake was also felt in the neighboring countries including Tajikistan, Pakistan and India.
A 6.3-magnitude quake in December left 12 people injured and 74 houses destroyed in Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Kunar, Parwan and Nangarhar provinces. In late-October a powerful earthquake, 7.7 in magnitude, struck Afghanistan. At least 118 people were killed and 538 others were wounded. The quake damaged 7,630 houses, 12 schools, 17 mosques and 20 government buildings.