Pakistan Rocked by 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake, Felt Across Islamabad and Afghanistan Border

A Pakistan earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck in the middle of the night on Sunday, August 31. Strong tremors shook cities in northern Pakistan, including Islamabad and Peshawar. Reports from Afghanistan are far more severe, with collapsed homes, blocked roads, and rising casualties in mountain villages.

Epicenter Near Afghanistan Border

The quake’s epicenter was near Bāsawul, north of Jalalabad, at a shallow depth of just over 6 miles. An aftershock measuring 4.5 followed about 20 minutes later. For technical details, see the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.

Impact in Afghanistan: Hundreds Feared Dead

There are collapsed structures in the Dara Noor District of Nangarhar in the earthquake in Afghanistan.#Earthquake #σεισμός #deprem #terremoto #Emsc #lastquake #afad #sismoAstronomy #kandilli #Sismo #地震 #زلزله pic.twitter.com/PGQlrMa8ZN

— Sismo Astronomy (@sismoastronomy) August 31, 2025

Early reports suggest hundreds feared dead Afghanistan, with dozens of lives already confirmed lost. Landslides in Kunar province have blocked key routes, slowing rescue operations. Officials warn that the death toll could climb sharply as more villages are reached.

Relate: 5.0 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Other Cities

Tremors Across Pakistan

In Pakistan, the quake rattled Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Peshawar, Mansehra, and Abbottabad. Local monitoring measured the intensity closer to 5.4. Aftershocks were also felt in Chitral and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. So far, no major damage or casualties have been reported. Safety alerts were issued across quake-hit areas. For updates and safety guidelines, visit the NDMA Pakistan.

Aftershocks and Regional Concerns

This region often suffers from earthquakes because it lies on a major fault line. The shallow depth of the quake, combined with repeated shocks, has raised concerns of further landslides and structural collapses.

Conclusion

Pakistan escaped with little harm, but the Afghanistan earthquake impact is far worse. Hundreds of families are feared trapped, while rescues continue in remote valleys. The Pakistan earthquake magnitude 6.0 is another reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

Related: How a massive landslide triggered a deadly tsunami in 2007

Header Photo: USGS