A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Tajikistan near the China border on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake struck at a depth of 114 kilometers, around 140 kilometers southeast of the Tajikistan capital, Dushanbe.
There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage, but tremors were felt across the region, including in nearby Kyrgyzstan and parts of China.
Earthquakes are common in this part of the world, which sits on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. In 2015, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan, killing more than 300 people and injuring thousands more.
The region has also been hit by several deadly landslides in recent years, with many experts attributing the increased risk to climate change.
This latest earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of our planet, and the importance of being prepared for natural disasters. Governments and individuals alike must continue to invest in disaster preparedness and response, to mitigate the impact of such events and protect the lives and livelihoods of those affected.