ISLAMABAD: According to Beyond Time News, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad and several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Monday, causing panic among residents. As a result, tremors were widely felt in multiple cities, including Peshawar and surrounding areas.
Tremors Felt Across Multiple Areas
According to the Seismic Monitoring Centre, people felt shaking in Islamabad, Peshawar, and KP’s provincial capital regions. In addition, strong tremors were reported from Swat, Nowshera, Shangla, and Buner.
Moreover, residents rushed out of homes and offices as the ground shook for several seconds.
Epicentre and Depth Confirmed
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that the earthquake originated in the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border region. Furthermore, the Seismic Monitoring Centre reported that the quake struck at a depth of 170 kilometres.
Therefore, the deeper origin helped reduce the intensity of surface damage in many areas.
No Casualties or Damage Reported
So far, authorities have not reported any casualties or structural damage. However, monitoring teams remain active and continue to collect data from affected regions.
Read more:7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off Japan, Tsunami Warning Issued
Pakistan’s Earthquake Risk Explained
Pakistan lies on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Consequently, the country frequently experiences earthquakes of varying intensity.
For instance, tremors have already been felt in Karachi, Islamabad, and parts of KP earlier this month. Similarly, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake in February affected Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza.
In the past, major disasters have caused severe destruction, including the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which killed over 73,000 people. Likewise, a 2021 quake in Balochistan caused fatalities and disrupted rescue operations due to landslides.
Therefore, experts continue to stress the importance of preparedness, especially in mountainous and high-risk regions where relief efforts become difficult.
