According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), this 30-second earthquake had a magnitude of 6.5 (on the US Moment scale), with its epicenter about 40 km from the village of Jurm, Afghanistan, and 187 km deep under Badakhshan province.
DYFI data from the scene was classified as level VII, meaning very strong shaking and moderate destruction.
Map showing the epicenter and main affected areas of the earthquake on the night of March 21 - Photo: USGS
According to RT, the tremors could be felt as far away as the Indian capital New Delhi and caused residents of many cities in India and Pakistan to panic and run out of buildings. Meanwhile, local Pakistani media reported at least two deaths and hundreds of injuries in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province near the border with Afghanistan.
Meanwhile in the epicentre of Badakhshan province, authorities and aid workers said very strong tremors were felt in Badakhshan and across other northern regions. A Red Cross spokesman said they had no immediate reports of damage from the capital of Badakhshan but were checking other areas.
Mahzudeen Ahmadi, head of Badakhshan's information department, told Reuters they were also checking for any casualties in the province, but there were no reports yet.
"We felt a strong earthquake, according to initial information, the main affected area is Yamgan district," he said. Some remote mountain villages in Badakhshan are also difficult to reach, without telephone and internet access, making it difficult to determine the damage.
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