Afghanistan earthquake live: Twelve schoolgirls killed in stampede as death toll rises to 129
Tremors were felt across Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, and at least 800 have been injured
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Here are the latest updates:
- US Geological Survey records 7.5-magnitude quake in norther Afghanistan
- At least 129 people have been confirmed dead so far, officials say
- 12 schoolgirls died in stampede to escape shaking school in Takhar province
- More than 600 people injured in Pakistan, plus 200 in Afghanistan
- Landslides and damage to scores of buildings reported
At least 12 schoolgirls have died in a stampede to escape shaking buildings, as a magnitude 7.5 earthquake sent tremors across south Asia.
The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the earthquake was in the far northern province of Badakhshan, which borders Tajikistan and China. It was initially recorded as magnitude 7.7 before it was downgraded to 7.5.
In Pakistan, state TV announced that at least 94 people had died, while nearly 600 were injured.
At the Afghan school in Takhar province, officials said the children died when pupils tried to flee all-girl school en masse. Another 35 girls were taken to hospital in the provincial capital of Taluqan. Across Afghanistan as a whole at least 33 people died, while more than 200 were injured.
The quake was also felt in the Indian capital New Delhi, though no damage was immediately reported. Office buildings swayed and workers who had just returned from lunch ran out of buildings and gathered in the street or car parks.
In Srinagar, the main city in the India-controlled portion of disputed Kashmir, the tremors lasted at least 40 seconds, with buildings swaying and electrical wires swinging wildly, residents said. At least two people were killed.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.