On March 21, 2023, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 hit Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan, at an intermediate depth of about 187 km (116 mi). The epicenter of the earthquake was located 40 km (25 mi) south-southeast of Jurm. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake had a magnitude of Mww 6.5, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department stated it was 6.8. However, the earthquake was initially reported as Mw 7.7, which was later found to be inaccurate. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that the earthquake shook an area of about 1,000 km (620 mi), affecting around 285 million people in Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The earthquake caused extensive damage in Afghanistan, with at least 10 deaths, 80 injuries, and over 665 houses destroyed across nine provinces. Laghman, Takhar, Panjshir, Badakhshan, Kabul, and Nangarhar provinces were among the most affected areas. In Pakis