Several killed, dozens injured as 6.8 magnitude earthquake jolts Pakistan
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: An earthquake of 6.8 magnitudes shook parts of Pakistan on Tuesday, killing nine people, including two women, and injuring over 160 others as well as causing many buildings to collapse, authorities said.
The deceased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa include 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, stated the PDMA report. The report indicates that at least 19 houses across the province have been partially damaged.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Secretary Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Department Abdul Basit and DG PDMA Sharif Hussain visited the Emergency Operation Centre. Rescue 1122 provided timely medical care to the injured and transported them to nearby hospitals, said the secretary relief.
The secretary also directed the district administration, Rescue and Civil Defence to remain alert for the relief and rescue operation. The secretary further said the PDMA is in constant touch with the district administrations and concerned institutions in all the districts.
The situation is being continuously monitored, he said, advising the citizens to report any untoward incident at helpines 1700 or 1122.
Earthquake tremors were felt in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, and other areas of the country.
The epicentre of the earthquake was Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, while its depth was 180 kilometres, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The earthquake’s effects were also felt in Peshawar, Swabi, Lodhran, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Skardu, Kohat, Toba Tek Singh, Parachinar, Nowshera, and Khanewal.
Meanwhile, authorities concerned in all affected cities are visiting the areas to inspect the affected buildings and facilitate the citizens.
In light of the powerful tremors felt in several parts of the country, Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel issued an emergency alert at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) as well as Federal Government Polyclinic.
“The hospital administration should ensure advance measures to deal with any emergency situation,” he said.
The moderate earthquake was followed by 3.7 magnitude aftershocks with a depth of 156 kilometres.
However, Pakistan was not the only country affected by the earthquake tremors were strongly felt across much of Afghanistan and even further east in parts of India.
“So far, thank God, there has been no bad news of casualties. We hope that all citizens of the country are safe,” tweeted the Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
He said health centres across the country had been put on high alert.
Large parts of South Asia are seismically active because a tectonic plate known as the Indian plate is pushing north into the Eurasian plate.
Praying for the well-being of the people, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other institutions to be ready to deal with any emergency.