Strong tremors hit Islamabad and KP, no damage reported

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake jolted Islamabad, Peshawar, Swat and several other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, the Seismic Network of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed.

An earthquake struck parts of Pakistan and neighboring countries, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan, on Tuesday evening. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Center of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the tremors began around 5:30 pm with the epicenter located in southeastern Afghanistan. The quake was recorded at a depth of 22 kilometers.

The shocks were strongly felt in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Swat, Khyber district, Mansehra, and Abbottabad, as well as nearby regions. Residents rushed out of homes and offices in panic as the tremors continued for several seconds. Local authorities confirmed that no casualties or damage to property have been reported so far. However, officials have urged the public to remain alert as aftershocks are possible in the coming hours. Rescue and relief teams have been put on standby, while the administrations of affected districts have started assessing the situation to ensure a quick response if needed.

The earthquake caused concern among people in the affected areas, many of whom gathered in open spaces for safety. Authorities stressed the importance of following safety guidelines during such incidents and encouraged citizens to remain calm but vigilant. Meanwhile, monitoring teams are closely observing seismic activity in the region to provide timely updates. The event highlights the vulnerability of the region, which lies in an active seismic zone and frequently experiences earthquakes of varying intensity. Officials have assured that emergency services are fully prepared to deal with any potential fallout should aftershocks or further tremors occur.