A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake jolted southeastern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, killing at least nine people and injuring 15 others, officials confirmed. The quake, recorded by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), hit at 12:47 am IST with its epicentre located at latitude 34.50N and longitude 70.81E, at a depth of 160 kilometres.

According to Naqibullah Rahimi, spokesperson for the Nangarhar Public Health Department, most casualties were reported from rural areas where poorly built houses collapsed due to the tremors. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities fear the number of casualties could rise as information continues to come in from remote villages.

The tremors were felt across a large part of the region, including Pakistan, northern India, and Delhi-NCR. Residents in several cities reported buildings swaying, fans shaking, and furniture rattling, which caused many to rush out of their homes in panic.

The main earthquake was followed by a series of aftershocks, registering magnitudes 4.7, 4.3, 5.0, and 5.0 on the Richter scale. Experts explained that these aftershocks were classified as shallow to intermediate quakes, which tend to cause more damage since their seismic waves reach the surface faster and with greater intensity.

A region under constant threat

This quake once again shows the rising earthquake risk in Afghanistan and the broader Himalayan belt. Geologists link the frequent tremors to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a slow but powerful geological process that formed the Himalayas millions of years ago. The rugged mountains, combined with deep fault lines, make this one of the most seismically active regions in the world.

Experts warn that densely populated valleys, fragile infrastructure, and poorly constructed buildings make the human cost of earthquakes much higher in this region compared to others. The lack of proper disaster preparedness and limited access to emergency response further add to the vulnerability.

Adding to the concern, scientists note that climate change is indirectly increasing risks by affecting soil stability, melting glaciers, and triggering landslides in mountainous zones. This combination of natural and human factors makes the region’s geological balance more fragile than ever.