ISLAMABAD: A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad and several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Wednesday, sending residents rushing out of homes and buildings as tremors were felt across multiple cities. Authorities, however, confirmed that no casualties or property damage had been reported immediately after the seismic event.
According to the Seismological Centre, the earthquake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale and occurred at a depth of 174 kilometres. Officials said the epicentre was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, an area known for frequent seismic activity that often causes tremors across Pakistan and neighbouring countries.
The earthquake was felt in Islamabad, Peshawar, Kurram, Mardan, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Charsadda and Lower Dir, with many residents leaving their homes, offices and commercial buildings as a precaution. Witnesses described moments of panic as people gathered in open spaces until the tremors subsided.
A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said emergency response teams had been placed on high alert to respond to any untoward situation. Rescue officials continued monitoring affected areas, but no reports of injuries, fatalities or structural damage had been received by Wednesday evening.
The latest earthquake comes just days after another significant tremor struck Pakistan on June 27, when a 5.7-magnitude earthquake was felt across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and the federal capital. That quake also originated in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, with its epicentre recorded at a depth of 230 kilometres.
During the June 27 earthquake, tremors were reported in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Chakwal, Sheikhupura, Swat, Chitral, Kohat, Bajaur, North and South Waziristan, and several other districts. The shaking even disrupted proceedings in the KP Assembly, where lawmakers temporarily evacuated the building as a safety measure.
Pakistan remains vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Seismologists advise residents to stay informed through official channels and follow emergency safety guidelines during seismic events.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation following Wednesday’s earthquake, while emergency services remain on standby in case of aftershocks or any delayed reports of damage.
