A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck the Hindukush region of Afghanistan late Friday night, sending tremors across several regions in Pakistan and neighboring countries.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 102 kilometers, with its epicenter located in the Hindukush mountain range. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), however, recorded a slightly deeper depth of 124 kilometers, noting the quake struck shortly after 2:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), approximately 121 kilometers east of Baghlān, Afghanistan.
The tremors were widely felt across Islamabad, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), prompting concern among residents but causing no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
In Punjab, the quake was felt in Lahore, Islamabad, Murree, Sargodha, Wah Cantt, and Kasur. In KP, strong tremors were reported in Peshawar, Swat, Nowshera, Dir, Shangla, Charsadda, Malakand, Mardan, Haripur, Hangu, and Balakot. Parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, including Ghizer, also experienced the quake.
Social media reports indicate the tremors were also felt in parts of Afghanistan, Indian-administered Kashmir, and northern India.
Seismologists noted that the Hindukush region is highly prone to seismic activity due to the complex tectonic interactions between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Authorities have advised residents to remain calm and vigilant, as aftershocks may follow. Emergency services have been placed on alert, although no damage assessments have been reported as of the time of filing this report.
