Islamabad: Authorities reported a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Pakistan on Tuesday killed nine people, including two women, and injured over 160 others and collapsed many buildings.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority KP reported five males, two women, and five children dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the KP PDMA data, earthquake-related accidents harmed 44 individuals. Geo News reported 160+ injuries.
The study states that 19 houses in the province were partially damaged.
Abdul Basit and Sharif Hussain visited the Emergency Operation Centre. The secretary relief stated Rescue 1122 treated and evacuated the injured to local hospitals.
The secretary ordered the district administration, Rescue, and Civil Defence to stay awake for relief and rescue. Secretary added that the PDMA is in contact with all district administrations and concerned institutions.
He advised individuals to report such incidents at helpines 1700 or 1122.
Islamabad buildings evacuated
Islamabad police reported no earthquake-related deaths.
“Khudad Heights have been evacuated after cracks appeared in walls,” the police said, adding that law enforcement and local government staff are there.
“The district administration has been requested to inspect the building.”
After the shocks, other federal capital residential high-rises were evacuated.
6.6 magnitude quake
Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, and other cities felt earthquakes.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported a 180-kilometer depth and an epicentre in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region (PMD).
While, The earthquake affected Peshawar, Swabi, Lodhran, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Skardu, Kohat, Toba Tek Singh, Parachinar, Nowshera, and Khanewal.
In all affected cities, authorities are inspecting structures and helping residents.
Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel issued an emergency notice at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Polyclinic due to the strong tremors.
He advised the hospital administration to prepare for emergencies.
3.7-magnitude aftershocks with 156-kilometre depths followed the moderate earthquake.
The earthquake also shook Afghanistan and parts of India.
“No casualties, thank God. We hope all countrymen are safe “Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted.
He stated national health centres were on alert.
Moreover, The Indian plate is moving north towards the Eurasian plate, making South Asia seismically active.
Afterward, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other institutions to be ready for any emergency, praying for the people.
Quake-related deaths and injuries.
Earthquake-related injuries and deaths occurred nationwide.
The first victim of the mild earthquake that shook most of the country was a Lower Dir woman whose house wall fell.
The crime occurred in Dheri, Lower Dir, police said. Hospital sources verified that a woman died after her house wall fell on her during the tremors.
Swat police reported a 13-year-old girl died when her house wall fell. They said the roof home collapse killed one more person and injured two more.
Moreover, The Swat police reported 50 injured at Saidu Sharif Hospital. Rescue officials claimed 43 individuals were hurt in earthquake-related mishaps in Lower Dir.
While, Police reported seven persons brought to the Timergara district hospital in Lower Dir. The authority said the seismic stampede hurt most individuals.
Jamrud home roofs collapsed during the shocks. Police reported no injuries.
While, Cracks appeared on high-rise commercial and residential buildings and flats in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, panicking inhabitants.
Afterward, The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported two deaths and six injuries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Eight residences were partially damaged. The province declared a hospital emergency.
Testimonies
Islamabad resident Sarah Hasan told Al Jazeera that her house walls vibrated during the earthquake.
“It started slowly and became strong,” the 43-year-old added. The house shook. After a few minutes, things calmed down.”
“People ran out of their houses and were reciting the Quran,” an AFP correspondent in Rawalpindi reported.
Moreover, Retired professor Ikhlaq Kazmi told AFP his house shook.
“The children started shouting that there is an earthquake,” he stated. “We all ran out.”
Last year’s 6.1-magnitude Pakistan earthquake
Last June, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghanistan’s earthquake killed 1,000 and injured 600.
Afterward, The US Geological Survey (USGC) reported that the earthquake occurred 44km (27 miles) from Khost, in Pakistan.
Moreover, The EMSC reported 119 million Pakistanis, Afghans, and Indians felt shaking.
While, Islamabad, Multan, Bhakkar, Phalia, Peshawar, Malakand, Swat, Mianwali, Pakpattan, Buner, and other Pakistani cities felt tremors. Its epicentre was southwest of Khost in Afghanistan at 44km depth.
