ISLAMABAD: Around fifty people have been killed and hundreds other injured as the worst earthquake has ravaged several cities of Pakistan on Monday afternoon.
Emergency has been imposed in hospitals and other basic service organisations, activities suspended, offices and houses vacated and people started offering prayers in the areas where the tremors were felt.
Two kids were killed and as many children injured in a roof collapse in different areas of Diamir, while landslide has closed many roads.
Over 200 houses have been collapsed and more than 20 people were injured including children and women. Five people were killed in Shangla and one in Sawabi.
Two persons died in Charsadda and five others were injured, while four including two women were killed in Swat. According to hospital sources, more than 100 injured have been admitted in Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar as the worst earthquake rattled upper areas of Pakistan with the magnitude of 8.1 Richter scale.
A school wall has fallen in Sargodha city. A wall in Jogan area, Abbotabad has also fallen injuring two girls. Bridge established for Metro Bus has been breached by the tremors and roof of a shop came down in Kashmiri Bazaar of Rawalpindi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed all federal civil, military and provincial agencies to declare immediate alert and mobilize all resources to ensure security of citizens.
The epicenter of the quake was Hindukush region and its depth was 193 kilometers.
All agencies have been directed to move out with their resources to find out the welfare of the country. No stone should be left unturned to provide all kinds of assistance.
The quake has been felt in the neighboring countries as well.
In the Afghan capital, Kabul, buildings shook violently but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
International aid agencies working in the northern areas of Afghanistan reported that cell phone coverage in the affected areas remained down in the hour after the initial quake.
India’s northernmost region of Kashmir experienced intense and prolonged tremors that caused panic in areas that suffered severe flooding last year. Power supplies and most mobile networks were knocked out, and there was structural damage to roads and buildings.
No casualties were reported in Indian Kashmir.
On October 8, 2005, another disastrous earthquake had taken place in Pakistan with 7.5 magnitude Richter scale.
