Most devastating earthquakes in the last 5 years

In a span of five years, the world has witnessed the terrifying power of nature, as a series of devastating earthquakes rocked various corners of the globe, leaving a trail of destruction and despair. 

From the latest to the oldest, here are the earthquakes that have struck in the past five years.

September 8, 2023 – Morocco

On September 8, 2023, Morocco experienced a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8. The quake struck at 22.11 UTC and reached a depth of 18.5 km. Tragically, this event resulted in the loss of 2,122 lives and left another 2,421 individuals injured, as the Kingdom of Morocco's High Atlas Mountain range bore the brunt of the disaster.

February 6, 2023 - Turkey and Syria 

Earlier this year, on February 6, 2023, a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck both Turkey and Syria. The temblor claimed the lives of over 20,000 people, leaving communities in shock and anguish as they grappled with the immense destruction caused by this seismic event.

November 21, 2022 - Indonesia

The year 2022 brought tragedy to Indonesia, as a destructive earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 struck Cianjur, West Java, on November 21. The aftermath was grim, with at least 321 people losing their lives in this disaster.

September 5, 2022 - China

In June 2022, China's Sichuan province experienced a powerful quake with a magnitude of 6.8. This event marked the strongest to hit the region since 2017, resulting in the loss of more than 40 lives. The tremors were felt not only in Sichuan but also in distant provinces, sending shockwaves through the hearts of the affected communities.

June 22, 2022 - Afghanistan and Pakistan 

Afghanistan and Pakistan found themselves in the grip of a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in June 2022 that claimed the lives of more than 1,100 people, and left 1,500 injured. It was the deadliest since 2002 and was felt by about 119 million people spread across Afghanistan Pakistan, and India.

August 14, 2021 - Haiti 

Haiti, a nation already grappling with numerous challenges, faced a catastrophic magnitude 7.2 earthquake on August 14, 2021. The aftermath was heartbreaking, as more than 2,200 lives were tragically lost.

May 22, 2021 - China: Yunnan Province 

In May 2021, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck China's Yunnan province, resulting to the loss of three lives and leaving 28 others injured. This earthquake, though not as catastrophic as some others in the area, called for disaster preparedness action as the area is prone to seismic activity.

January 15, 2021 - Indonesia

Indonesia experienced another earthquake on January 15, 2021, with a magnitude of 6.2. This event struck Majene, West Sulawesi Province, claiming the lives of at least 81 people, injuring more than 630, and rendering over 15,000 people homeless.

October 30, 2020 – Greece and Turkey

The year 2020 saw a powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.9 hit the Aegean coasts of Turkey and Greece on October 30. This seismic event resulted in the tragic loss of 120 lives.

September 28, 2018 - Indonesia

Indonesia was struck by a devastating magnitude 7.5 earthquake on September 28, 2018, leaving a trail of destruction. By February 2019, the numbers of deaths and injuries had exceeded 4,340 and 4,438, respectively, a reflection of the immense impact of the disaster.

August 5, 2018 - Indonesia

Indonesia bore witness to yet another significant quake on August 5, 2018, when Lombok Island was rocked by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake. This event resulted in the tragic loss of over 460 lives.