5.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Pakistan, wounds dozens in Mirpur
As many as 20 people were killed and over 300 injured in Pakistan after a massive earthquake hit the region with a magnitude of 5.8 on Richter Scale. The earthquake jolted several cities in the northern parts of the country with Mirpur being worst-hit. According to US Geological Survey, the epicentre of the earthquake was near Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police in Mirpur, Sardar Gulfaraz Khan, confirmed 20 deaths and over 300 injuries in Mirpur and surrounding areas due to the powerful quake.
Earthquake causes destruction in Pakistan: Highlights
8:50 pm: According to NDMA notification released in wake of the calamity, aftershocks can be expected within the next 24 hours in the earthquake-hit areas.The NDMA statement said that all the protective measures should be taken to lessen the impact. It further urged the public to share any losses or damage to the authority.
8:45 pm: Death toll in Pakistan earthquake has risen to 20.
8:15 pm: Pakistan's major water reservoir Mangla Dam located near Mirpur remained safe, officials say. Mangla dam power house has been closed, cutting off 900 MW power supply to the national grid, they said. However, upper Jhelum canal was damaged and water inundated various villages.
8:00 pm: Pakistan Meteorological Department's earthquake centre said the 5.8-magnitude earthquake was located near the mountainous city of Jehlum in Punjab province. Its depth was at 10 kilometres. However, Minister for Science Fawad Chaudhry said that the intensity of the quake was 7.1.
7:30 pm: Emergency declared in Mirpur after strong earthquake in the region.
7:16 pm: Earthquake in Pakistan has so far claimed lives of 19 people. 300 people reported injured.
6:38 pm: The earthquake sent people of affected areas scurrying into the streets. The earthquake damaged houses and buildings in Mirpur, while several cars fell into the deep cracks on the roads.
6:19 pm: According to Geo News, tremors were felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Murree, Jhelum, Charsadda, Swat, Khyber Agency, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Nowshera, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.
6:10 pm: As per the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the earthquake struck at a location 173 km north-west of Lahore.
6:00 pm: Tremors were also felt at New Delhi, Chandigarh, Kashmir, including Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtun region.
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