The US Geological Survey is reporting that a magnitude 5.9 earthquake has hit northeastern Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan and Tajikistan. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The earthquake was most strongly felt in Pakistan, a 6.2-magnitude quake shook Karachi and north-western areas of the country though there were no reports of casualties.The magnitude was recorded at 6.2 on the Richter scale by Pakistan Meteorological Department while the US Geological Survey (USGS) puts it at 5.9.

The epicentre of the quake was 86 kilometres deep and located somewhere in the border area of Afghanistan and Tajikistan, Geo news reported. It was felt in most of areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces. The quake was felt in Muree, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Jehlum, Sialkot, Vihari, Sahiwal, Kasur, Sargodha, Bhakkar and Shaikhupura. The tremors also rocked Peshawar, Mansehra, Shangla, Swat, Nowshehra, Dirbala and adjoining areas. Panic-gripped people came out of their houses to take shelter in open especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province where strong tremor was felt

According to local media, several houses were damaged in Swat valley. There were no reports of casualties so far. Sunday’s earthquake comes nearly a month after a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake jolted Pakistan and northeastern Afghanistan on October 26, killing nearly 300 people. Its depth was measured at 57.4 miles (92.4 kilometers). The quake was felt across northern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan and in northern parts of India.

Source:The Indian EXPRESS