Strong Tremors Rattle Capital and Northern Pakistan, No Major Damage Reported
A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck with its epicenter in the Hindu Kush region, rattling Islamabad and multiple areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday. Tremors were recorded at a depth of about 195 km, but no casualties or major damage have been reported so far.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Seismic Network confirmed that the quake had a depth of 195 kilometres.
Residents in Peshawar, Attock, Chitral, and surrounding districts reported feeling the tremors.
Officials say no structural collapse or injury has been confirmed in initial assessments.
The Hindu Kush is a well-known seismic zone influencing tremors in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as tectonic plates interact in that region.
Pakistan lies near the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making northern areas particularly susceptible to seismic activity.
Earthquakes with similar magnitudes have struck the region before, though many occur at deep depths and cause minimal damage.
Past quakes in neighboring Afghanistan have had consequences for both sides of the border, which heightens vigilance when tremors are felt in Pakistan.
Authorities will continue monitoring for aftershocks and inspect infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
Local disaster management agencies are on alert, ready to respond if any damage reports come in.
Seismologists will analyze seismic readings to refine the quake’s characteristics (magnitude, exact depth, fault line) over the coming hours
