5.8-Magnitude Quake in Afghanistan Kills 8 in Single Family

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck northeastern Afghanistan on Friday, September 1, 2025, at 8:42 PM local time (1612 GMT). The US Geological Survey reported the epicenter was in Badakhshan province at a depth of 186 kilometers. Shaking was felt across the country, including the capital, Kabul.

In Kabul Province's Gosfand Dara area, eight members of one family died when their home collapsed. Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman confirmed a two-year-old child was the sole survivor but sustained injuries. Afghanistan's disaster management agency is responding.

This deep tremor highlights the country's seismic vulnerability along the Hindu Kush mountains where tectonic plates converge. Just last month, a shallower 6.0-magnitude quake killed over 2,200 people in eastern Afghanistan—the deadliest in recent memory. Infrastructure in many rural areas remains fragile.

For Nigerians, this is a stark reminder that Nigeria also has active fault lines, particularly in the Afemai region and along the Cameroon line. While earthquakes are less frequent, building codes and emergency preparedness are often inadequate. Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt have all experienced minor tremors in recent years.

Does your family have a disaster plan? Do you know the safest spots in your home during shaking? Have you checked if your building meets basic structural safety standards?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/04/04/earthquake-kills-eight-family-members-near-afghan-capital/