On 12th of February, the whole Middle Asia quivered due to an earthquake, which was recorded with a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of this earthquake was located at Tajikistan. According to a report, Tajikistan, a landlocked country, has an estimated population of over 94 lakh. The country is bordered by Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. The most followed religion in Tajikistan is reportedly Islam and the country has over 98 per cent Muslims. Most people in Tajikistan speak its official language, Tajik. The country is ethnically diverse and has several ethnic groups including the Tajiks, Pamiris, Uzbeks, Pamiris, Kyrgyz, Russians, Turkmens and Tatars.
The tremors created panic among people who rushed out of their homes. However, there were no immediate reports of any loss of life or damage to property. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was virtually interacting with students of University of Chicago, was heard saying, his entire room was “shaking”. National Conference (NC) leader said the tremors reminded the people of the 2005 quake in Jammu and Kashmir.
Two pictures of ruined buildings are going viral succeeding this incident, netizens are claiming that the picture is taken after the earthquake. Anti Fake News War Room (AFWA) has found out that the post is misleading and the two pictures are from two different zone and timelines. The first pictures dates back to January 24, 2020 from Turkey.
According to CNBC this photograph was taken after a Turkish earthquake, which was recorded at 6.8 on the Richter Scale. Almost 36 people lost their lives and several damages of building and property occurred. The quake rattled the Elazig province of Turkey.
The second picture is reported to be of December 2018, from Sicily, Italy. According to the reports, the quake was triggered by the eruption from Mount Etna volcano. At least 28 people were injured in the quake and some buildings were damaged. However the pictures going viral after the earthquake in Tajikistan people are linking these two pictures. The pictures were clicked in Turkey and Italy when earthquakes shook these countries in 2020 and 2018 respectively. No major damage or casualties have been reported after Tajikistan was hit by an earthquake on February 12, 2021.
