5.4-magnitude quake jolts Islamabad, K-P

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region on Wednesday, sending tremors across Islamabad, Peshawar and several districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the earthquake occurred at 12:51pm at a depth of 187 kilometres. Its epicentre was located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region.

Tremors were felt in Islamabad and surrounding areas, while residents in Peshawar, Malakand and other parts of K-P also reported experiencing the shaking.

The earthquake caused concern among residents, with some people briefly leaving buildings as a precaution. However, there were no immediate reports of casualties, structural damage or other major losses.

The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 5.3. It placed the epicentre around 35 kilometres south-southwest of Jurm in Afghanistan.

The Hindu Kush region is considered seismically active and has experienced several earthquakes in recent months. Tremors from earthquakes originating in Afghanistan are frequently felt in northern and western parts of Pakistan because of the region’s proximity.

Pakistan has also experienced a number of earthquakes recently. Last week, a 4.0-magnitude earthquake was reported near Dalbandin in Balochistan. The epicentre was located about 100 kilometres southwest of the town.

Earlier in June, earthquake tremors were felt in Balochistan’s Barkhan district and nearby areas. Three people were injured during the incident, while residents reported fear and panic following the shaking.

Several mild to moderate earthquakes were also recorded in different parts of Pakistan in May. Tremors were reported in Islamabad, Khuzdar and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.