Residents across northern Pakistan were startled late Sunday night when a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck, sending people fleeing from homes and buildings in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and parts of Punjab. The tremors, which struck around 12:18 a.m., were powerful enough to be felt as far away as Lahore.
According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the quake’s epicentre was located in southeastern Afghanistan, deep within the Hindu Kush mountain range, at a depth of 15 kilometres. This mountainous region is notorious for seismic activity due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Panic in Major Cities, But No Casualties Reported
The earthquake caused widespread alarm in cities including Peshawar, Mardan, and Murree, as well as smaller towns like Chakwal, Taxila, and Wah Cantt. Social media quickly filled with videos showing residents rushing outside, some clutching blankets and children, bracing for aftershocks.
Fortunately, initial reports suggest no fatalities or major damage. Rescue teams have been dispatched to assess infrastructure, and authorities are urging residents to stay alert, especially in older or unstable buildings.
Aftershocks Keep Residents on Edge
A magnitude 4.6 aftershock followed just 20 minutes later, intensifying fears in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chitral, and Peshawar. Residents of Swat, Abbottabad, Hangu, and Malakand also reported feeling tremors well into the night.
Experts warn that aftershocks are common in this region and urge people to take precautions, particularly in mountainous areas where landslides are a risk.
Part of a Series of Recent Quakes
This latest quake comes less than a month after a 5.1 magnitude tremor struck near Rawat on August 3, rattling many of the same regions. That quake, which occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, also prompted midnight evacuations in Islamabad and surrounding cities.
Pakistan’s location along the seismically active boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. The Hindu Kush region, where Sunday night’s quake originated, is one of the world’s most active seismic zones.
