An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale struck parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad, on Wednesday, as reported by the country's meteorological department. The
United States Geological Survey
(USGS) measured it at 5.1 magnitude, whilst the
Pakistan Meteorological Department
(PMD) recorded it at 5.3.
"The centre of the earthquake was the
Hindukush mountain range
in Afghanistan and the depth was 220 kilometres," according to the National Seismic Monitoring Center in Islamabad.
The seismic activity occurred at 10.13 am (Pakistan time), confirmed by both the USGS and PMD. Residents evacuated their homes as a precautionary measure during the tremors. No casualties have been reported thus far.
The tremors were experienced across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and various regions of Punjab, according to officials.