6.2-magnitude earthquake hits Afghanistan, tremors felt across North India

A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region on Saturday evening, sending tremors across parts of Pakistan and several northern Indian states, including Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir.

According to preliminary seismic reports, the earthquake occurred at 7:04 pm IST at a depth of 215 kilometres. Its epicentre was located around 81 kilometres from Kalafgan in northeastern Afghanistan.

The tremors were felt across Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. In Delhi, many residents rushed out of their homes and offices as buildings shook briefly, while tremors were also reported from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of northern India.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.

The earthquake comes just days after twin earthquakes devastated Venezuela. The two powerful quakes struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday, killing at least 920 people, injuring thousands and leaving more than 50,000 people missing, according to UN aid chief Tom Fletcher.