Central Asia earthquake

This item appears on page 15 of the December 2015 issue.

An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale killed at least 390 people and injured more than 2,000 in northeastern Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan on Oct. 26, with thousands reported injured. At least 7,600 houses were destroyed. The earthquake also caused landslides and avalanches, but none were reported in residential areas. 

The epicenter of the quake was in an isolated and sparsely populated area. Additional deaths, injuries and damage were expected to be discovered as response teams reached village sites. At least four aftershocks of 4.8 magnitude or higher occurred.

The earthquake was also felt in India, where it caused power and phone service outages, though no injuries were reported.