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At least 100 dead as 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocks Afghanistan, Pakistan, north India

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earthquakeA massive earthquake measuring 7.5 on richter scale on Monday jolted north India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, causing widespread panic. The earthquake’s epicentre was near Jurm in northeast Afghanistan, 250 km from capital Kabul, and at a depth of 213.5 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said. This is just a few hundred kilometres from the site of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck in October 2005, killing more than 75,000 people and displacing some 3.5 million more, although that earthquake was much shallower.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directs all federal, civil, military and provincial agencies to declare immediate alert and mobilise all resources to ensure security of citizens following the deadly earthquake.

In India, massive tremors were felt in Delhi, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Punjab. Hundreds rushed out of shaking buildings and remained on the streets for some time, fearing aftershocks.

The US Geological Survey initially measured the quake’s intensity at 7.7 then revised it down to 7.5.

Twelve girls were killed in a stampede while trying to escape from their school in the north Afghan city of Taloqan while five people were killed in the eastern province of Nangahar, officials said.

Scores of people were injured.

Injured people were pouring into Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital, an official said.

“We received 50 injured and more are being shifted. The injured suffered multiple injuries due to building collapse,” said hospital spokesman Syed Jamil Shah.

In the Afghan capital, Kabul, buildings shook violently but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

International aid agencies working in the northern areas of Afghanistan reported that cell phone coverage in the affected areas remained down in the hour after the initial quake.

India’s northernmost region of Kashmir experienced intense and prolonged tremors that caused panic in areas that suffered severe flooding last year. Power supplies and most mobile networks were knocked out, and there was structural damage to roads and buildings.

No casualties were reported in Indian Kashmir, however.

The earthquake struck almost exactly six months after Nepal suffered its worst quake on record, on April 25. Including the toll from a major aftershock in May, 9,000 people lost their lives and 900,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

The mountainous region is seismically active, with earthquakes the result of the Indian subcontinent driving into and under the Eurasian landmass. Sudden tectonic shifts can cause enormous and destructive releases of energy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Heard about strong earthquake in Afghanistan-Pakistan region whose tremors have been felt in parts of India. I pray for everyone’s safety,” and also, “I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to expresses grief over the loss of lives in the earthquake.   He wrote, “Very sad to learn that earthquake in Pak & Afghanistan that shook parts of India as well, has claimed many lives & caused extensive damage. My prayers are with families of the victims.”

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