By Bisola Adeyemo
At least five people have died and dozens of houses were destroyed after an earthquake struck eastern Tajikistan, according to authorities in the mountainous country on Saturday.
Tremors from the 5.9 magnitude quake could be felt in the capital of Dushanbe, 165 kilometres (100 miles) southwest of the epicentre.
“No fewer than five people have been killed,” the Tajik committee for emergency said.
Power lines were also partly damaged in three villages in the district of Tajikabad, where all the victims lived.
The quake struck at 7:14 am (0214 GMT) and at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the committee and state news agency Khovar.
Tajik President, Emomali Rakhmon, has ordered a commission of enquiry headed by the prime minister, Russian media reported.
Source: (ALJAZEERA)