Death toll mounts to 37, over 500 injured in Pakistan earthquake
5.8 magnitude earthquake hit different parts of Pakistan but the worst hit was Mirpur, Azad Kashmir.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – At least 37 people lost their lives and more than 500 others sustained injuries in an earthquake that rattled Azad Kashmir, local officials said on Wednesday, but they added that rescue work was in full swing and panic was subsiding.
Tuesday’s earthquake levelled homes and shops and split open roads in an area between the towns of Jhelum and Mirpur to the north, which is in Pakistan’s portion of Kashmir.
“The situation is slowly returning to normal, the level of panic is now less among the people, although an aftershock was felt at night,” said Sardar Gulfaraz Khan, a police deputy inspector general.
Most of the damage happened in villages where old houses collapsed, Khan said.
The devastating earthquake in Azad Kashmir has damaged more than 450 houses. According to Chairman NDMA, the earthquake severely affected the 14-kilometer long road of Jatlan while restoration work is under process.
Many people from the area slept outdoors overnight and some were returning home on Wednesday morning to collect belongings and inspect damage, according to a Reuters witness.
Troops and other emergency responders carried out rescue operations through the night, with engineers starting repair work on a key roadway that was severely damaged, the Pakistan Army’s communications arm said. Three bridges were damaged.
The military had earlier estimated that 22 people were dead and 160 injured after the earthquake.
Meteorological Department said that according to its preliminary assessment, the epicentre of the 5.8-magnitude quake was located near the mountainous city of Jehlum in the Punjab province.
"The quake was 10 kilometres deep and was felt in most of Punjab province, some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The worst hit was Mirpur, Azad Kashmir," Chief meteorologist Muhammad Riaz told.
In other parts of the country, tremors were felt in Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Jalalpur, Bajaur, Mirpur, Zafarwal, Skardu, Manga Mandi, Kohat, Charsadda,Kamoke, Kasur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Daska, Gujrat, Sialkot, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Chitral, Malakand, Multan, Shangla, Okara, Nowshera, Attock, Jhang and adjoining areas.
The tremors were also felt Daska, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Mansehra, Batagram, Torghar, Mirpur (Azad Kashmir) Bhimber, Jhelum, and Mandi Bahauddin.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a tweet, offered condolences to families of the victims and said he had directed the government to quickly offer relief efforts and assess damage.
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Meteorological Department said that according to its preliminary assessment, the epicentre of the 5.8-magnitude quake was located near the mountainous city of Jehlum in the Punjab province.
"The quake was 10 kilometres deep and was felt in most of Punjab province, some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The worst hit was Mirpur, Azad Kashmir," Chief meteorologist Muhammad Riaz told.
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In other parts of the country, tremors were felt in Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Jalalpur, Bajaur, Mirpur, Zafarwal, Skardu, Manga Mandi, Kohat, Charsadda,Kamoke, Kasur, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Daska, Gujrat, Sialkot, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Chitral, Malakand, Multan, Shangla, Okara, Nowshera, Attock, Jhang and adjoining areas.
The tremors were also felt Daska, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Mansehra, Batagram, Torghar, Mirpur (Azad Kashmir) Bhimber, Jhelum, and Mandi Bahauddin.
Many people rushed out of multistory buildings and homes into the streets following the earthquake.
In Pictures: Strong earthquake wreaks havoc in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed immediate rescue operation for effectees of the earthquake in Azad Kashmir.
COAS directs immediate rescue operation in aid of civil administration for victims of earthquake in AJK. Army troops with aviation and medical support teams dispatched.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) September 24, 2019
Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is in New York to attend the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, has expressed grief over the loss of lives and properties in Mirpur Azad Kashmir.
PM was informed about the earthquake and damages caused by it in New York. He instructed the authorities to immediately provide relief to the victims of earth quake.
1122 Team Sent for Relief Activity
Rescue teams have been dispatched to assist earthquake victims of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir under the direction of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.
According to Director General (DG) Rescue Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer, rescue teams have been sent from Rawalpindi, Jhelum and Gujrat to Mirpur Azad Kashmir.
Dr. Rizwan Naseer said that in this hour of crisis, Rescue Punjab will provide all possible aid to the effectees. Rescue 1122 backup teams have also been alerted throughout the Punjab.
Quake Jolts India
Tremors were felt as far as New Delhi, while the Press Trust of India reported that people rushed out of their homes and offices in panic in several places, including in Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.
Pakistan straddles part of the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the country susceptible to earthquakes.
In October 2015, a 7.5-magnitude quake in Pakistan and Afghanistan killed almost 400 people, flattening buildings in rugged terrain that impeded relief efforts.
The country was also hit by a 7.6-magnitude quake on October 8, 2005, that killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless, mainly in Azad Kashmir.
...with inputs from AFP, Reuters
