9 dead, several injured as 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolts parts of Pakistan

At least nine people were killed and several injured as a 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolts parts of Pakistan on Tuesday evening.

Initially, it was reported that a 7.7 magnitude earthquake has struck northern parts of the country leaving thousands across several cities coming out of the building reciting Shahada.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said that a 6.8 magnitude earthquake was reported in the Hindu Kush region on Tuesday night at a depth of 180 kilometres.

According to AFP, witnesses said that the strong earthquake lasting for at least 30 seconds was felt across much of Pakistan on Tuesday night.

Dozens of homes are reported to be damaged, as cracks appeared in several buildings.

Earthquake tremors were felt in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Abbottabad, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Chichawatni, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Mianwali, Khanewal, DI Khan, Pattoki, Rahim Yar Khan, Muridke, Hangu, Faisalabad, Hangu, Quetta, and other areas of the country.

The earthquake also jolted the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), causing landslides that created fear. However, no loss of life was immediately reported.

According to Rescue 1122, landslides damaged a cattle farm in Yasin Ghizer, resulting in the death of livestock.

Deaths were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including five men, two women and as many children, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority KP. 

At least 44 people were injured in various accidents that took place as a result of the earthquake, according to the KP PDMA report.

Meanwhile, at least 19 houses across the province have been partially damaged. 

On the other hand, high-rise residential buildings in the federal capital were also evacuated following the tremors.

He prayed for the well-being of the citizens.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake was centred near Jurm town in north-eastern Afghanis-tan in the Hindukush region and had a depth of 187 kilometres. The USGS put the magnitude at 6.5.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other institutions to be ready to deal with any emergency.

Following Tuesday night’s earthquake, the Twitter timeline is flooded with messages from the affected areas.