Earthquake jolts Islamabad, other parts of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck parts of Pakistan on Tuesday, with tremors felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Kohat, Lower Dir, Mardan, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan and other northern parts.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the earthquake occurred at around 11:15 pm, with its epicentre located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region at a depth of 234 kilometres.

Residents in several cities reported feeling the tremors for several seconds. Panic spread as people rushed out of homes, offices and buildings into open areas, fearing aftershocks.

However, initial reports from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and local authorities confirmed that no casualties or property damage had been reported so far.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have urged citizens to remain calm and follow safety precautions.

Earlier on October 17, tremors from a magnitude 5.6 earthquake were felt in several cities of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Swat and Chitral.

According to the PMD, Pakistan is located at the boundary of two large tectonic plates that extend from Sonmiani to the country’s northern portion and earthquakes can happen anywhere within these borderlines. However, the PMD says that it is impossible to predict it with any degree of accuracy when it would happen.