Late-Night Christmas Earthquake Rattles Pakistan Capital, Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A Pakistani official says that a strong earthquake struck the region, rattling buildings and forcing sleeping residents in the capital, Islamabad, out of their homes.

Image source: USGS

Ghulam Rasool told The Associated Press Friday that the magnitude 6.9 was centered in Tajikistan near the Afghan border and lasted for 59 seconds. However the U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake measured at magnitude 6.2 and was centered in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Twitter users in the Afghan capital, Kabul, reported feeling the tremors there as well.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or extensive damage.

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