Tremors from a 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat and Chitral districts on Tuesday afternoon, the PMD reported. The quake struck at 4:36pm and caused brief panic among residents. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the affected areas.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the earthquake originated in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. It occurred at a depth of 138 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface. The United States Geological Survey measured it at 5.1 magnitude and placed the epicentre near Afghanistan’s Yangi Qala district.
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Pakistan is located on the intersection of three major tectonic plates. These include the Arabian, Indian, and Eurasian plates. As a result, the country experiences frequent seismic activity and has five identified earthquake-prone zones.
The latest tremor follows a series of recent quakes in the region. Just days ago, a 4.3-magnitude quake hit Lower Kohistan, and earlier this month, Karachi experienced a 3.2-magnitude tremor. Several cities in KP, including Peshawar and Swat, have also been jolted multiple times in September.
While no major damage was reported from Tuesday’s quake, officials urge continued awareness and preparedness. Earthquakes in the Hindu Kush often send strong tremors into northern Pakistan. Authorities remain on alert for aftershocks or further seismic activity.