Islamabad:
At least 15 people were injured today when a moderate 5.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Pakistan’s northwestern region.
Strong tremors jolted Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Murree, Abbottabad, Swat, Haripur, Malakand, Nowshehra, Shangla Hill and Battagram and adjoining areas.
At least 15 people were injured and over twenty mud houses collapsed in the quake, local media reported.
Nine people were hurt when the quake damaged three mud-brick homes in the Battagram district. He said the people were hospitalised. Six others were injured in nearby areas.
The duration of the quake was around three to five seconds and its epicentre was at the depth of 32 kilometers, according to Pakistan Meteorological Department.
At least two aftershocks followed the quake which created panic among the people, said policeman Akram Khan.
Pakistan faces frequent earthquakes as it is located in an active seismic zone. A powerful quake of 7.6-magnitude hit this region in 2005, killing over 74,000 people.
