Five dead as 6.6-magnitude earthquake jolts parts of Punjab, K-P
People rushed out of their houses PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/ EXPRESS/FILE
At least five people were killed and many others injured in Pakistan as earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck South Asia on Sunday.
At least three died when tremors caused a landslide on the Karakar mountain range connecting Swat and Buner.
Two others passed away in Shabqadar Shahbaz Khan Korona of district Charsadda when a boundary wall collapsed.
The earthquake hit parts of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa near the Afghan border, shaking buildings in the Afghan and Pakistan capitals, witnesses and the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
The USGS said the quake was centred near Chitral at a depth of 210 km.
Tremors were also felt in the Indian capital and in Kashmir, witnesses said, forcing residents to leave homes.
Hundreds feared dead as earthquake jolts Pakistan, Afghanistan
In Pakistan, shocks were felt in Murree, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gilgit-Baltistan, Abbottabad, Mansehra and surrounding areas.
At least 27 people, including women and children, with minor injuries were brought to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar following earthquake in the province.
LRH director for accident and emergency Dr Khalid told The Express Tribune all the injured had sustained minor wounds, adding 18 people were discharged following medical assistance at the facility.
Meanwhile, spokesperson Rescue 1122 Bilal Faizi said they did not receive any information on damages due to the earthquake.
Meanwhile, at least five people including two women and children were stuck under the rubble when a roof fell in Dogdarra area of Upper Dir.
"The roof was already made weak by the continuous rain, and collapsed during the earthquake," police officials from the area said.
Telephone networks have reportedly been disrupted in the affected areas and an emergency has been declared at all hospitals across K-P.
Express News said tremors were felt for more than 60 seconds.
Calamity risk: Four earthquakes felt across province
In October last year, over 200 people were killed as a strong earthquake jolted Pakistan and Afghanistan.
PM directs relief, rescue work
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed all state institutions to begin rescue efforts for the ones affected by the earthquake and provide relief to them.
In a statement, the premier directed all federal and provincial civil, military and relief institutions to remain alert and employ their resources to help those in need and provide help wherever necessary.