KABUL, An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale shook the mountains in the north of the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, Monday morning, killing at least 7 people and injured 30 others. Before the quake struck at 01:00 local time or 03:30 o’clock AM in Samangan Province, halfway between Kabul and the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in the north. Said Deputy Governor of the Province of Samangan Kulam Baghlani Sakhi.
Roads and communications equipment in the area are classified as difficult, and need long time to submit reports about the victims to the authorities. The quake was felt up in Kabul and neighboring countries, like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Baghlani said the three adjoining districts are also affected by the earthquake. At least 300 homes were damaged and dozens of cattle died as a result of the disaster. Landslides triggered by the earthquake has closed some roads and make the winding road in a mountainous area that became increasingly difficult to pass.
“The quake was felt in the remote mountain areas,” said Baghlani. He also said the three units of civil defense forces have been sent to inspect the damage and casualties. Hindu Kush region classified as earthquake prone, especially along the plate meeting the Indian subcontinent and continental plates. In 1998, a pair of earthquakes measuring 5.9 and 6.6 SR SR struck the Afghan border with Tajikistan. Two earthquakes killed more than 6,000 people. A 5.3 Richter quake also hit in the Baghlan province of Samangan in 2002, killing about 1,000 people.
Santosamaru 