A strong earthquake struck Pakistan on Friday morning, shaking Islamabad and several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The quake caused widespread panic in major cities including Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Swat. According to seismologists, the magnitude was 5.5 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department confirmed the quake originated 195 kilometres underground. Despite its depth, tremors were clearly felt across the northern and western areas of KP. Residents in the twin cities also felt their homes and offices shake. The sudden movement led many people to rush outdoors.
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In KP, strong jolts were reported in multiple districts. Peshawar, Swat, Charsadda, and Buner experienced sharp tremors. In Lower Dir and Mardan, people came out of buildings in fear. In Landikotal and nearby areas, residents reported both the main quake and aftershocks.
Urban areas saw buildings swaying and alarms going off. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, people quickly evacuated workplaces, schools, and homes. Similar scenes were reported in Chitral and Swat, where the mountainous terrain added to fears of landslides or structural damage.
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So far, no loss of life or major property damage has been reported. However, officials are monitoring the situation for aftershocks. Emergency services remain on alert, and citizens are urged to stay calm and follow safety guidelines.