5.8 magnitude earthquake hits eastern Afghanistan: Tremors felt in Kabul, Nangarhar | World News
A strong earthquake of magnitude 5.8 occurred in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, February 20. The tremors also reached the capital and surrounding provinces. While the earthquake caused panic in the region that was trying to recover from the effects of the recent earthquakes, no injuries or major damage were reported. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake’s epicenter was about 130 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of Kabul.
Widespread Tremor in Central Provinces
Witnesses in Kabul and Nangarhar province reported violent tremors lasting several seconds. People living in Bamiyan and Wardak provinces, located to the west of the capital, also felt the tremor.
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The earthquake struck at a time when many residents were already on edge following a series of strong tremors last year. Authorities are assessing remote mountain areas, but poor communication often causes information from remote villages to be delayed.
An Area Under Seismic Stress
Afghanistan is located in a very active seismic zone, particularly along the Hindu Kush mountain range where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates meet. Recently the country has experienced a very active and deadly seismic period:
– August 2025: A shallow magnitude 6.0 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan destroyed mountainous villages and killed more than 2,200 people.
– September 2025: A 6.3 magnitude earthquake in northern Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people just a few weeks later.
Historical Context: Previous major earthquakes in Herat (2023) and Nangarhar (2022) destroyed thousands of houses and caused hundreds of deaths.
Infrastructure Vulnerability and Response Challenges
Afghanistan’s recurring high death rates are often blamed on the country’s basic construction methods. In rural areas, houses are generally made of mud and do not have the strength to withstand even moderate earthquakes.
Additionally, mountainous terrain makes emergency responses difficult. In past disasters, it took days for rescue teams to reach remote epicenters to provide medical assistance or assess the extent of damage.
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