A moderate earthquake struck large parts of Pakistan on Monday, sending tremors across multiple cities and triggering panic among residents. However, no casualties or major damage have been reported so far.
Earthquake Details and Epicentre
According to the Seismological Centre, the earthquake measured 5.4 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was located in the Hindu Kush mountain range of Afghanistan.
The quake occurred at a depth of 215 kilometres, which helped reduce its destructive impact on the surface, even though it was felt across a wide region.
Areas Affected
The tremors were felt across several parts of Pakistan, including:
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
Peshawar, Swat, Buner, Hangu, Shangla, Kohat, Charsadda, Swabi, Mardan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and other nearby districts.
Strong tremors were also reported in southern KP areas including Tank, Upper and Lower South Waziristan, and surrounding regions.
Punjab and Islamabad
Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and multiple cities across Punjab including Multan and nearby areas also experienced shaking.
Emergency Response and Public Advisory
Rescue officials confirmed that emergency services, including Rescue 1122, remain on alert. Citizens have been advised to immediately contact emergency services in case of any incident or damage.
Authorities have so far reported no confirmed injuries or structural damage, but monitoring continues in affected regions.
Background: Earthquake Risk in Pakistan
Pakistan lies on the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly vulnerable to seismic activity.
Due to this geological setting, earthquakes are relatively common in the country, with some past events causing severe destruction, including the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
