Kabul, April 4 (NationPress) - A devastating 5.9-magnitude earthquake has resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals in northern Afghanistan, as reported by Mohammad Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority.

Following the earthquake, a house in Kabul province collapsed, causing fatalities among eight residents and injuring a child, Hammad disclosed late Friday evening.

The tremors were also felt strongly in the capital city, Kabul. The epicenter of the quake, located at a depth of 186.4 km, was initially identified at coordinates 36.55° N latitude and 70.85° E longitude, according to Xinhua news agency.

Residents in regions such as Delhi-NCR and various parts of North India experienced the tremors on Friday night, leading to widespread panic as people rushed out of buildings and homes.

Reports of the tremors came from numerous locations, including Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, among others.

Many residents described sudden jolts while seated, with furniture and hanging items swaying. The shaking lasted for several seconds but was strong enough to be distinctly felt indoors.

As a safety measure, individuals in multiple residential areas exited their homes, while office workers temporarily evacuated their buildings. Many gathered in open spaces, awaiting further information.

Afghanistan is highly susceptible to various natural disasters, with earthquakes being particularly deadly, claiming an average of 560 lives annually and causing yearly damages estimated at $80 million. Studies reveal that over 355 earthquakes with a magnitude above 5.0 have occurred in Afghanistan since 1990.

Geographically, Afghanistan is situated on the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate, sharing a transgression zone with the Indian plate, thus contributing to its seismic activity. The region is also influenced by the Arabian plate to the south, making it one of the most tectonically active areas globally.

The northward movement of the Indian plate and its interaction with the Eurasian plate is primarily responsible for the frequent earthquakes experienced in Afghanistan.

Regions in eastern and northeastern Afghanistan, particularly along the borders with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, are especially vulnerable to quakes.

This includes the densely populated Kabul, which suffers the highest estimated damages from earthquakes, averaging $17 million each year, as per studies.

Earthquakes in Afghanistan's mountainous regions can also trigger landslides, intensifying the loss of life and property.