ISLAMABAD: A 5.6-magnitude earthquake hit the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan on Thursday, shaking several parts of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre.
Seismologists said the quake struck at a depth of 120 kilometers, with its epicenter located inside Afghanistan. Tremors were felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Balakot, Battagram, Swat, Buner, Kohistan, Torghar, Gilgit, Chitral, Abbottabad, Jaglot, Minawar, and Ghizer districts.
Residents rushed outside as buildings swayed, but no reports of casualties or major damage were received. Emergency teams and local authorities are collecting data from affected areas and monitoring the situation closely.
The tremors were strongest in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, though the deep epicenter helped prevent widespread damage. Officials have urged people to stay alert and follow safety measures in case of aftershocks.
Earlier, a 5.0-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Quetta and nearby areas. The National Seismic and Tsunami Monitoring Center reported that its epicenter was 65 kilometers west of the city at a depth of 25 kilometers. The quake occurred at 6:29 pm, with no reports of damage or injuries.
On June 30, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake hit Musakhail district, injuring five people and damaging several mud houses, while on June 15, a 3.2-magnitude tremor struck Pasni and was felt as far as Karachi. The epicenter of that quake was located 12 kilometers north of Malir at a depth of 35 kilometers.