Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Jolts Northern Pakistan, Tremors Felt Across Major Cities
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near Pakistan’s northern border on Saturday morning, sending tremors across multiple cities including Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. The quake, which occurred at 11:47 AM local time (0647 GMT), prompted temporary evacuations as concerned residents rushed out of homes and buildings.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the earthquake was located approximately 53 kilometers south-southwest of Ashkasham, Afghanistan. The tremor originated at a depth of 94 kilometers, contributing to its widespread impact across northern Pakistan.
Eyewitnesses reported that the shaking lasted nearly 30 seconds, causing alarm among residents. In Islamabad, people evacuated office buildings as furniture rattled and ceiling fans swayed. Similar scenes were witnessed in Lahore and Peshawar, where residents moved to open spaces, many reciting prayers as a precaution.
Although the earthquake caused panic, there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant structural damage. Authorities have launched impact assessments and continue to monitor the situation closely.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, areas like Lower Dir also felt the tremors, adding to the growing concern over frequent seismic activity in the region.
This latest earthquake follows a series of tremors felt across Pakistan in recent weeks:
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April 12: A magnitude 5.5 quake shook parts of northern Pakistan, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Its epicentre was located about 60 kilometers northwest of Rawalpindi at a shallow depth of 12 kilometers.
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April 14: A 4.1-magnitude tremor originating from the Hindu Kush region caused brief panic as it was felt in Islamabad and surrounding areas. No damage was reported.
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April 16-17: A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours, affecting cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Swat, and Chitral. Many residents evacuated buildings during the night in response to the shaking.
Pakistan sits on a seismically active zone due to its location near the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. As a result, the region experiences frequent earthquakes. Authorities continue to advise residents to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines during seismic events.
Emergency teams are on standby, and further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
