Doha: An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale struck the Jurm District of eastern Afghanistan on Thursday: The earthquake occurred at a depth of 216.7 kilometers, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage, the US Geological Survey said.
According to Qatar News Agency, the region has experienced multiple earthquakes in recent history, including a 6.0 magnitude quake in the Hindu Kush mountain region of northeastern Afghanistan last Saturday. The country is no stranger to seismic activities, as demonstrated by a devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake in August 2025 that struck the Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, resulting in approximately 2,205 fatalities and injuring 3,640 people.
Afghanistan's northeastern region has been particularly susceptible to powerful earthquakes, with records showing 12 earthquakes exceeding magnitude 7.0 since 1900. These frequent seismic events highlight the region's vulnerability and the need for effective disaster preparedness and response plans to mitigate the impact of future earthquakes.