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ISLAMABAD: A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the region late Sunday night, shaking the federal capital and several adjoining cities, while also jolting vast parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab.
According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the earthquake hit at 12:18 am with its epicentre located in southeastern Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain range, at a depth of 15 kilometres.
Strong shocks were felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan, Murree, Chakwal, Wah Cantt, Taxila, and Lahore, sending panicked citizens rushing out of their homes into open spaces.
No Major Damage Reported in Pakistan
Despite the powerful tremors, no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties were received from Pakistan. Windows rattled, furniture shook, and buildings swayed for several seconds, creating fear among residents in urban centres.
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Emergency services and local authorities confirmed that no major loss of life or property had been reported so far. Rescue teams remain on alert, while authorities have advised citizens to avoid staying inside unsafe buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.
Aftershocks Recorded
Minutes after the initial quake, the NSMC confirmed a 4.6-magnitude aftershock at 12:38 am, which was also felt across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Chitral.
Residents in Swat, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Hangu also reported tremors, prompting fresh panic as people once again rushed outdoors. Authorities urged the public to stay cautious, as aftershocks may continue in the coming hours.
Afghanistan Bears the Brunt
While Pakistan largely escaped destruction, neighbouring Afghanistan reported significant casualties. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) confirmed that a 6.0-magnitude quake struck southeastern Afghanistan at 11:47 pm, with the epicentre located 27 kilometres east-northeast of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, at a shallow depth of 8 to 10 kilometres.
Local officials reported that at least nine people were killed and 25 others injured in Nangarhar province. Ajmal Darwaish, spokesman for Nangarhar’s health department, told AFP that emergency services were deployed, and hospitals were receiving the injured.
The shallow depth of the quake intensified its impact, causing structural damage and prompting fears of further aftershocks. Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure and vulnerable housing make it particularly prone to damage during such seismic events.
Seismic History of the Region
Pakistan and Afghanistan lie in a seismically active zone, positioned near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. The Hindu Kush mountain range is particularly notorious for generating moderate to strong earthquakes.
On August 3, just weeks earlier, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake had jolted Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and multiple northern areas. That quake, with an epicentre southeast of Rawat at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, also sparked panic but caused no casualties.
In recent years, earthquakes in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan have claimed hundreds of lives, particularly in areas where poorly constructed homes collapse easily under seismic pressure.
Public Reaction and Safety Measures
Across Pakistan, citizens were jolted awake by the midnight tremors. Social media was flooded with reports from people in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Murree, sharing videos of shaking ceiling fans, swaying chandeliers, and panicked evacuations.
Experts have urged citizens to follow safety protocols during earthquakes:
- Move to an open area away from buildings and power lines.
- If indoors, take cover under sturdy furniture and protect your head.
- Avoid using elevators during tremors.
- Be prepared for aftershocks, which can sometimes be nearly as strong as the initial quake.
The NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) has advised vigilance and assured the public that monitoring systems remain active to track seismic activity in the coming hours.
