5.1-magnitude earthquake strikes eastern Afghanistan

The quake struck at 8:47 a.m. local time at a depth of 35 km. The epicenter was identified 33 km northeast of Mehtarlam, the capital city of Laghman Province.

As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage to buildings caused by the earthquake.

Seismologists and local authorities are monitoring the situation closely as aftershocks and further assessments continue.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in Afghanistan, a region situated along active tectonic plate boundaries, which often experience seismic activity. (ILKHA)