Mirpur/Jhelum (Staff Report/Agencies): The death toll from Tuesday’s earthquake in Azad Jammu and Kashmir reached about 31 with more than 600 injured.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers with its epicenter lying 1km southeast of Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
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Near Mirpur, roads were completely destroyed and vehicles overturned by the tremors while bridges, mobile phone towers, and electricity poles were also badly damaged in the melee.
The Mangla-Jatlan highway was severely damaged by the quake, leaving the motorists stranded and their vehicles damaged.
The quake sent people in Lahore and Islamabad running into the streets. Tremors were felt in Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, Charsadda, Swat, Khyber, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Nowshera, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.
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The Press Trust of India reported that tremors were also felt as far as New Delhi. Panicking people rushed out of their homes and offices in several places, including in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana.
President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister have expressed grief over the incident. PM Khan has also directed authorities concerned to launch rescue operation.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa directed immediate rescue operation in aid of civil administration.
