5.9 earthquake hits Afghanistan; tremors felt in Delhi-NCR, North India

Strong earthquake tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR and several parts of North India around 9:50 pm on Friday.

In Short

• 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Friday night
• Tremors felt across Delhi-NCR and North India
• Shaking lasted a few seconds, items moved in high-rises

Strong earthquake tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR and several parts of North India on Friday after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, triggering panic among residents in several cities who rushed out of homes and office buildings.

The tremors, recorded at around 9.50 pm, were reported from multiple cities, including Noida, Chandigarh, Ludhiana in Punjab, and Poonch, Srinagar, and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, among several other locations.

Residents in high-rise buildings said the shaking lasted for a few seconds, with many reporting that household items moved and shook.

“I felt a strong jolt which lasted for a few seconds," Baldev Chand, a Chandigarh resident who lives in a flat on the second floor, said.

No immediate reports of damage or casualties have emerged so far, and the epicentre of the seismic activity is yet to be ascertained.

The earthquake tremors were also briefly felt in several cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad, parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar and other areas.

- Ends