ISLAMABAD: At least nine persons have been killed and several other were injured as an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir on Tuesday night.
Earthquake tremors were felt in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Abbotabat, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Chichawatni, Bahwalpur, Lodhran, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Mianwali, Khanewal, DI Khan, Pattoki, Rahim Yar Khan, Muridke, Hangu, Faisalabad, Hangu, Quetta, and other areas of the country.
People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran. No loss of life and property was reported due to earthquake.
According to National Seismic Monitoring Centre, Islamabad, the epicenter of the earthquake was located near Koh e Hindu Kush in Afghanistan at the depth of 180 kilometres.
According to sources, all casualties have been reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in a tweet on late Tuesday night said that nine persons including five men, two women and two children were killed in the province due to earthquake.
At least 44 persons also sustained injuries due to roof and wall collapse incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while 19 houses have suffered damages due to the jolts in the province.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other departments concerned to stay alert to deal with any situation due to earthquake.
In a message on twitter, the prime minister prayed to Allah Almighty to keep everyone safe and protect the country from any calamity.
He condoled with the families of those who were killed due to earthquake.
According to a PM Office statement, the prime minister also prayed to Allah Almighty for the safety and well-being of his countrymen.
Read more: LHC grants relief to Imran Khan in two terror cases
