Afghanistan - Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref. OCHA/GVA - 2000/0007
Afghanistan - Earthquake
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
19 January 2000

1. A strong earthquake hit the Hindu Kush range in northern Afghanistan in the morning of Wednesday 19 January 2000. According to a preliminary report from the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake measured 6.3 on the Richter scale with the epicentre situated at latitude 36.2 degrees north and longitude 70.4 degrees east, approximately 250 kms north of Peshawar in Pakistan. Its origin time was 07.09 hrs GMT or 11.39 hrs local time in Afghanistan. The Swiss Seismological Service puts the magnitude of the earthquake slightly lower. The strong tremor was felt in Kabul, Afghanistan and also in Islamabad, Pakistan.

2. There are no immediate reports of casualties and damage caused by the earthquake at this time.

3. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is in close contact with the Office of the United Nations Coordinator for Afghanistan and will revert with further information if the situation warrants it.

4. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers: Ms. S. Metzner-Strack/Mr. R. Mueller/Mr. S. Matsuka, OCHA Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel. +41-22-917 21 44 / 31 31 / 40 34

Press contact: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53