Nine killed, several injured as 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolts parts of Pakistan
Pakistan
6.8 magnitude earthquake jolts parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – At least nine people were killed and several other were injured as an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir on Tuesday night.
Earthquake tremors were felt in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Abbotabat, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Chichawatni, Bahwalpur, Lodhran, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Mianwali, Khanewal, DI Khan, Pattoki, Rahim Yar Khan, Muridke, Hangu, Faisalabad, Hangu, Quetta, and other areas of the country.
People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran.
According to National Seismic Monitoring Centre, Islamabad, the epicenter of the earthquake was located near Koh Hindu Kush mountainous area in Afghanistan at the depth of 180 kilometres.
According to sources, all casualties have been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in a tweet late Tuesday night said that nine people, including five men, two women and two children, were killed in the province due to earthquake.
— PDMAKP OFFICIAL (@PDMAKP) March 21, 2023
At least 44 persons also sustained injuries due to roof and wall collapse incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while 19 houses have damaged due to jolts in the province.
According to police, a woman died when a wall of her house collapsed in Dheri area of Lower Dir, making it the first causality in the earthquake.
Sources in a local hospital also confirmed the death.
In Swat, a 13-year-old girl was killed in a wall collapse incident. Moreover, a man was killed and two others sustained injuries when the roof of their house collapsed.
The police said that 50 injured were brought to Saidu Sharif hospital in Swat.
Meanwhile, rescue officials said that 43 people were injured in various earthquake related incidents in Lower Dir.
Seven people were brought to the district hospital in the Timergara area of Lower Dir. Most of the people were injured in a stampede following the earthquake, official said.
No loss of lif in Islamabad
Meanwhile, Islamabad police took to twitter and said there was no loss of life in the capital.
"Khudad Heights have been evacuated after cracks appeared in walls," the police tweeted, adding the personnel of the law enforcement agency and local government were present on the site.
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 21, 2023
"The district administration has been requested to inspect the building."
Other high-rise residential buildings were also evacuated aftr the quake.
PM Shehbaz's directive to NDMA
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other departments concerned to stay alert to deal with any situation due to earthquake.
In a message on twitter, the prime minister prayed to Allah Almighty to keep everyone safe and protect the country from any calamity.
— PMLN Punjab (@PMLNPunjabPk) March 21, 2023
He condoled with the families of those who were killed due to earthquake.
According to a PM Office statement, the prime minister also prayed to Allah Almighty for the safety and well-being of his countrymen.
