Breaking News: Earthquakes Strike Myanmar and Afghanistan, Japan Seizes Chinese Fishing Vessel
In a series of international and domestic incidents, seismic activity has been reported in Asia, while geopolitical tensions rise in the East China Sea. Here are the latest updates from around the world and India.
Earthquake of Magnitude 2.8 Strikes Myanmar
An earthquake measuring magnitude 2.8 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar early on Friday, February 13, 2026. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the tremor occurred at 04:44:40 IST, with its epicenter located at latitude 23.91 N and longitude 93.85 E. The quake hit at a depth of 35 kilometers, making it a relatively shallow event.
This follows a previous seismic incident in the region, where a magnitude 3.8 earthquake jolted Myanmar on February 11, 2026, at an even shallower depth of 11 km. Such shallow earthquakes often raise concerns about potential aftershocks, which can cause additional damage and disruption.
Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake Hits Afghanistan
In a separate seismic event, Afghanistan experienced an earthquake of magnitude 4.6 on Friday. The NCS confirmed that this tremor occurred at a significant depth of 135 kilometers. While deeper earthquakes typically cause less surface damage, they can still be felt over a wide area, potentially affecting populated regions.
These earthquakes highlight the ongoing seismic activity in South and Southeast Asia, areas prone to tectonic movements due to their location along major fault lines. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely for any further developments or impacts.
Japan Seizes Chinese Fishing Vessel, Arrests Captain
In a move that could escalate regional tensions, Japanese authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its captain on Thursday. The incident occurred inside Japan's exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki Prefecture, approximately 89.4 nautical miles (165 kilometers) south-southwest of Meshima Island.
According to Japan's fisheries agency, the vessel's captain was ordered to stop for an inspection but failed to comply and attempted to flee. This arrest comes amid heightened diplomatic strains, following comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November, who suggested Japan might intervene militarily if China attempted to take Taiwan by force—a statement that angered Beijing.
The seizure is likely to further inflame relations between the two Asian powers, adding to existing disputes over maritime boundaries and fishing rights in the East China Sea.
Domestic Incidents in India
Car Falls into Drain in Noida’s Sector 70
In a local incident, a car lost control and plunged into a drain in Sector 70, Noida, on Friday. Police from the Phase 3 station responded promptly, removing the vehicle from the drain. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this accident. The Noida Police have stated that further necessary action is being taken to investigate the cause and prevent similar occurrences.
Six-Year-Old Killed in Uttar Pradesh Accident
Tragedy struck in Banthra town, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday evening when a car crashed into an autorickshaw and pedestrians near the Hanuman Temple around 6 pm. A six-year-old child lost their life in the collision, while five others sustained injuries. The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Police have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances and hold those responsible accountable.
Stay tuned for more real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the globe, as we continue to bring you the latest developments that matter.
