Delhi, J&K hit by quake; 6.2 magnitude, epicentre Afghanistan

Delhi: A strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale struck North India on Saturday at around 7:04 pm, with tremors felt across Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and several other northern states. The National Centre for Seismology confirmed that the epicentre was in Afghanistan.

The quake was also felt across several Afghan regions, including Kabul, Khost, and Nangarhar, triggering alarm among residents. In Pakistan, tremors were reported in Islamabad, Swat, Hangu, North Waziristan, Chitral, and Rawalpindi, spreading panic across multiple cities.

In Delhi and nearby areas, people rushed out of buildings as tremors shook structures. No immediate reports of casualties or major damage have been confirmed, though authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and assess impacts. The incident follows earlier seismic activity in February, when another Afghanistan-origin quake was felt across parts of North India.

Globally, recent seismic events have raised concern. In Venezuela, twin earthquakes struck within minutes, causing widespread devastation. Reports indicate around 920 deaths, extensive destruction of buildings, and large-scale displacement, with over 50,000 people missing or unaccounted for. Rescue operations are ongoing despite difficult access conditions. International assistance has been deployed, with countries including Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, and Cuba, along with the United Nations, sending emergency teams to support relief efforts.

In the Philippines, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao earlier in the week. The tremor and subsequent aftershocks caused alarm, though no casualties have been reported so far. Authorities continue to evaluate damage and monitor seismic activity across affected regions as aftershocks remain a concern.