5.5 quake rattles Islamabad, KP, spares casualties

News Desk

Islamabad: A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad and several northern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa early Friday morning, shaking buildings and prompting residents to rush outdoors in panic.

According to the earthquake monitoring center, the tremor’s epicenter was in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region at a depth of nearly 195 kilometers. Cities including Peshawar, Swat, Mardan, Abbottabad, Chitral, Dir Bala, and Nowshera reported strong jolts.

While no casualties or structural damage were reported, disaster management officials emphasized the need for continued vigilance given the region’s seismic vulnerability. The tremors served as a stark reminder of Pakistan’s susceptibility to earthquakes, particularly in the northwestern belt bordering Afghanistan.

Residents recounted moments of fear as households evacuated to open spaces in the early morning hours. Authorities urged citizens to remain calm during aftershocks and follow safety protocols.

Experts say the Hindu Kush fault line frequently triggers medium to strong quakes felt across Pakistan, underscoring the urgency for stronger building codes, community drills, and early warning systems.