The Pakistan government has confirmed the death of six people after a powerful earthquake hit the country on Sunday, April 6.

According to US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the earthquake was near the Afghan border - around the Hindukush foothill range in Afghanistan - and centred near Chitral in Pakistan at a depth of 210 km (130 miles). Most of the causalities (about five people) come from the Khyber-Pakhtuknkhwa province, while Diamer area of Gilgit in the Baltistan region had only one causality.

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Pakistani authorities said the earthquake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the earthquake at a 6.6 magnitude on the Richter scale. The duration of the quake was around 10-15 seconds. 

Strong tremors were felt in Afghan capital Kabul and India around 16:00 p.m. New Delhi time. Tremors were felt across north India - in Delhi and National Capital Region, Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Pakistan has witnessed numerous earthquake tremors in the past few months. Up to 363 people died in an earthquake that occurred on 26 October, 2015. Up to 1,100 people were injured in that earthquake, which struck Punjab and most of the northern region of the country.

There were about four casualties when Pakistan was again hit by another earthquake on December 25, 2015.

According to geologists, Pakistan's geographical location in the Indus-Tsangpo Suture Zone makes it vulnerable to earthquakes.

Tagsearthquake, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan