Strong earthquake tremors were felt across the federal capital and various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Punjab on Saturday, causing panic among residents and a swift response from authorities.
The initial earthquake, registering a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter scale, occurred at 11:54 PM. Its epicentre was situated near the tri-border region of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, at a depth of 88 kilometers.
Tremors were mainly felt in Swat and nearby areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting momentary panic among residents.
As per the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department in Islamabad, the earthquake struck at 12:31 PM with a magnitude of 5.5. It originated at a shallow depth of 12 kilometers, with the epicentre located 60 kilometers northwest of Rawalpindi, at coordinates 33.90°N latitude and 72.66°E longitude.
Tremors were felt in Islamabad and surrounding areas such as Taxila and Wah Cantt, prompting people to evacuate buildings and gather in open spaces. Similar shaking was reported in cities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Haripur, Abbottabad, Attock, and Chahkwal.
The sudden jolt led to widespread alarm, though no serious incidents were reported. Local authorities and emergency teams quickly mobilized to monitor the situation and provide assistance if necessary.
Residents are advised to remain cautious and follow safety protocols in the event of aftershocks.
