NEW DELHI (INDIA) – Indian authorities said on Saturday there were no reports of any critical damage to structures or casualties in northern states after an intense earthquake rocked the central Asian nation of Tajikistan on Friday night.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.9 and the epicentre was 35 km (55 miles) west of Tajikistan.
Strong tremors were also felt on Friday night in north Indian states as well as in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“Preliminary reports suggest there has been no destruction or building collapse but we will examine whether cracks have developed in dams, bridges or power plants,” said S K Singh, an official at the National Disaster Management Authority in New Delhi.
He said there are no reports of casualties so far, adding that the quake lasted for a long time and there are chances of some houses and public buildings suffering damage.
According to Fire authorities, there were reports of superficial damage to buildings, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and New Delhi.