5.8-magnitude earthquake hits Gilgit-Baltistan, Peshawar

ISLAMABAD: A moderate but powerful earthquake shook large parts of northern Pakistan on Monday morning, triggering panic among residents in Gilgit-Baltistan, Peshawar, and nearby regions, according to the National Seismological Center.

An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck parts of northern Pakistan, the Met Department confirmed. The quake had a depth of 10 kilometers, making the tremors strongly felt across multiple regions.

Officials said the epicenter was located in the mountain range of northwest Kashmir, a seismically active zone that frequently experiences earthquakes.

Residents of Peshawar and Swat reported earthquake tremors in the cities and their surrounding areas. People rushed out of homes and offices in fear as buildings swayed briefly.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, strong tremors were felt across several districts. Residents of Hunza and Nagar reported intense shaking, prompting people to move outdoors for safety.

Earthquake tremors were also felt in Ghizer, adding to concerns across the mountainous region. The European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) said an earthquake of magnitude 6 struck the northwestern part of India-held Kashmir. The quake was at a depth of 35km (21.75 miles), the EMSC said.