Tajikistan: Magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurs in Sangvor District, near the Afghanistan border, at around 03:44 TJT April 20

Event

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred in Tajikistan's Sangvor District, near the border with Afghanistan, at around 03:44 TJT April 20. The epicenter was about 22 km (13 miles) south-southeast of Rasht, Tajikistan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 13 km (8 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking may have been felt in parts of central Tajikistan, northern Afghanistan, southeastern Uzbekistan, and southwestern Kyrgyzstan. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.