'Major' Earthquake Hits Afghanistan, Pakistan

'Major' Earthquake Rattle Afghanistan, Pakistan

Thomas Kika 

An earthquake that struck parts of South Asia on Tuesday has been called "major," with videos circulating online of the quake and its frenzied aftermath.

The quake hit at 12:47 p.m. ET in Afghanistan, with the epicenter reportedly about 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) south-southeast of the northeastern town of Jurm, according to the United States Geological Survey and earthquaketrack.com, which listed the magnitude at 6.5. Multiple media outlets have the magnitude ranging from 6.8 to more than 7.

Reports said the quake could be felt not just across Afghanistan but in neighboring countries like Pakistan and India, and as far as China and Tajikistan. Reuters reported that at least three people have been reported dead, including two adults in Eastern Afghanistan and one child in Pakistan.

The earthquake comes a little less than two months after a devastating 7.8-magnitude quake struck Southeastern Turkey and Syria resulting widespread destruction and roughly 51,000 deaths.

Strong earthquake rocks Pakistan and Afghanistan

Tucker Reals

A strong earthquake lasting for at least 30 seconds was felt across much of Pakistan Tuesday night, witnesses said. 

"People ran out of their houses and were reciting the Koran," an AFP correspondent in Rawalpindi said, with similar reports coming from the capital Islamabad, Lahore and elsewhere in the country.

There were varying reports about the quake's epicenter and strength, but the U.S. Geological Survey reported a 6.5 magnitude earthquake in the far northeast of Afghanistan, near the country's border with Pakistan, at a depth of about 116 miles. It was also felt in bordering Tajikistan, the Associated Press reported. People in Delhi, India, who turned to social media in the earthquake's aftermath reported feeling the tremor as well.

At least 12 people were injured in northwest Pakistan in the quake, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a statement said he asked disaster management officials to remain vigilant to handle any situation, according to the AP.