Strongest Afghan Quake Since 1949 Triggers Search for Survivors
- Second big earthquake in South Asia in past six months
- More than 260 people killed, over 1,200 injured, AP reports
People stand outdoors after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 26.
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Afghanistan’s strongest earthquake in more than six decades shook buildings across South Asia, prompting officials from Kabul to Islamabad to New Delhi to send out rescue teams to search for survivors. More than 260 people died.
A 7.5 magnitude quake struck 254 kilometers (158 miles) north of the Afghan capital at a depth of 213 kilometers at 2:39 p.m. Indian time Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was the first major temblor in the region since April, when a 7.8 earthquake in Nepal killed more than 8,000 people and triggered deadly avalanches on Mount Everest.