5.8 Magnitude earthquake hits Afghanistan and Pakistan, leaving 12 dead

On the night of Friday, April 3, 2026, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.

The tremor, occurring at 8:42 p.m. local time at a depth of 186 kilometers, sent shockwaves through Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India.

Tragically, the event resulted in at least 12 fatalities, including eight members of a single refugee family whose home collapsed in the Bagrami district.

While authorities reported four injuries, the structural damage was significant.

According to the Afghanistan Disaster Management Authority, dozens of homes were impacted, with five destroyed and 33 severely damaged across provinces like Kabul, Logar, and Nangarhar.

Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to seismic activity due to its location in a mountainous region where tectonic plates collide.

This event serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing geological risks faced by the region, distinct from previous seismic incidents like the 2019 earthquake in Kashmir.