Tajikistan, Tuesday 24, 2023 – A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck Tajikistan at 8.37 am near the border with China. The earthquake was felt across the region, including in the neighboring countries of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan.
There have been reports of damages to buildings and infrastructure in some areas, and initial reports suggest that there may have been casualties.
The earthquake struck at 3:20 am local time and had a depth of 45 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter was located about 90 kilometers southeast of the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, and about 220 kilometers northeast of the Chinese city of Kashgar.
The quake was felt strongly in Dushanbe, where buildings shook and people ran out into the streets. The city’s mayor has called for calm and urged residents to stay alert for aftershocks. Reports from other parts of the country, including the cities of Khujand and Khorog, suggest that there has been significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The authorities in Tajikistan have mobilized rescue and relief efforts, and emergency services are working to assess the extent of the damage and provide assistance to those affected. The country’s President Emomali Rahmon has called an emergency meeting of government officials to coordinate the response to the disaster.
There have been reports of casualties, although the exact number is not yet known. The authorities have not released any official figures on the number of deaths or injuries resulting from the earthquake. However, local media reports suggest that at least several people have been killed and many more have been injured.
The earthquake is the strongest to hit Tajikistan in recent years and is a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Tajikistan is located in an area of high seismic activity, known as the Alpide Belt, which stretches from the Mediterranean to the Himalayas.
The earthquake has also been felt in neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan. There have been no reports of significant damage or casualties in these countries so far.
The earthquake is likely to have a significant impact on the region, and the authorities in Tajikistan and neighboring countries will be closely monitoring the situation in the coming days.
The international community is also likely to offer assistance to the affected countries in the aftermath of the disaster.
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