Earthquake of 5.4 magnitude jolts parts of KP, Islamabad and Punjab

WEB DESK: An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and Punjab on Monday, causing panic among residents who rushed out of homes and buildings as tremors were felt across a wide area.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the earthquake originated in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region.

The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 215 kilometres. Its location was measured at 36.44 degrees north latitude and 70.70 degrees east longitude.

Tremors felt across multiple cities

The tremors were felt in Islamabad, Peshawar, Buner and Bajaur, as well as several other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Residents in Battagram, Mansehra, Swat and Abbottabad also reported feeling the shaking.

In Punjab, earthquake tremors were experienced in Faisalabad and Khushab, while residents of Dera Ismail Khan in southern KP also felt the quake.

Eyewitnesses said people briefly left their homes, offices and commercial centres as a precaution following the tremors.

Deep-focus earthquake centred in Hindu Kush

Officials at the Seismological Centre said the earthquake’s considerable depth of 215 kilometres categorised it as a deep-focus event, which can often be felt across a broader geographical area despite causing limited surface damage.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to infrastructure. Authorities continued to monitor the situation, while disaster management agencies urged the public to remain calm and follow safety guidelines in the event of aftershocks.

The Hindu Kush region is one of the most seismically active areas in the region and frequently generates earthquakes that are felt across Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of Central and South Asia.