Earthquake jolts Islamabad, Rawalpindi surrounding areas

ISLAMABAD: In a shocking development, a strong earthquake of magnitude 5.6 has jolted Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding areas.

As seismologists said, the quake happened at a depth of 120 kilometers with the epicenter in Afghanistan. The quake’s tremors were experienced in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Balakot, Battagram, Swat, Buner, Kohistan, Torghar, Gilgit, Chitral, Abbottabad, Jaglot, Minawar, and Ghizer districts.

People rushed out of the buildings as homes trembled, but there were no initial reports of damage or casualties. Emergency responders and provincial authorities are keeping watch and obtaining information from the affected areas.

The quake was most intensely experienced in the upper parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan districts, although its depth kept the damage from being extensive. Authorities called upon citizens to be vigilant and take precautions against aftershocks.