Shallow M5.8 earthquake hits Tajikistan, claiming at least 5 lives

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.8 hit eastern Tajikistan at 02:14 UTC (07:14 LT) on July 10, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 16.6 km (10.3 miles). EMSC and the Tajik Academy of Sciences report M5.9 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

The epicenter was located about 19 km (12 miles) ESE of Rasht (population 10 771) and 80 km (50 miles) ENE of Obigarm (population 10 035), Tajikistan.

There are about 570 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

5 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 110 000 light, and 608 000 weak.

The quake was also felt in the capital, Dushanbe, 165 km (102 miles) SW.

Dozens of houses were destroyed in three villages of the district of Tajikabad and at least 5 people were killed, the Tajik committee for emergency situations said.

Image credit: TW/SAM, Google

Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking

Selected cities exposed

Regional seismicity

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google