Hundreds feared dead as 7.5-magnitutude earthquake strikes Pakistan, Afghanistan

Paramedics treat a man injured in an earthquake at a hospital in Peshawar on October 26, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

An earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck Pakistan and northeastern Afghanistan on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, sending tremors that were felt in India.
The quake was 196 km deep and centred 82 km southeast of Feyzabad in a remote area of Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush mountain range.

‘More than 100 injured in Peshawar’
Arbab Muhammad Asim, district mayor for Peshawar, said more than 100 people had been injured there alone.
“Many houses and buildings have collapsed in the city,” he said.
Dr Muhammad Sadiq, the head of emergency services at a government hospital in Peshawar said the injured were still being brought in.
“Many are still under rubble,” Sadiq told AFP.

Army soldiers observe the damaged wall of a fort used by security forces after an earthquake in Peshawar on October 26, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

Army chief departs for Peshawar
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif departs for Peshawar to supervise rescue operations in earthquake-hit areas, military’s media wing ISPR says in a statement.


18 killed in Afghanistan 
Separately 18 people, including 12 schoolgirls, have been killed in Afghanistan so far.
Six people have been killed and 69 others have been injured in Nangahar province on Pak-Afghan border, Najeeb Kamawal, head of the local public hospital told AFP.

Afghan residents examine a damaged house after a powerful earthquake hit the Bazarak district in Panjshir province on October 26, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

55 killed, over 600 injured in Pakistan
At least 55 have been killed and over 600 have been injured in Pakistan so far, Express News reports.

K-P chief minister declares emergency in hospitals
K-P Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has declared emergency in K-P hospitals, Express News reports.
The chief minister visited hospitals in Peshawar to oversee the arrangements being made to aid the quake victims. Khattak cancelled leaves of all paramedical staff across the province.

Swat: sms 'DCS' to 8333 or Call 09469240338 in case of emergency

Talking to media outside the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar Khattak told media men that “There are enough medicines and paramedical staff available at all hospitals, however, anyone visiting the hospital should not try to enter the hospital premises unless absolutely necessary.”

A man walks past the rubble of a house after it was damaged by an earthquake in Mingora, Swat, Pakistan October 26, 2015. REUTERS

Reception for Geeta cancelled
In view of the massive earthquake in Pakistan and loss of lives, the reception for Geeta at Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has been cancelled.

PM sets up crisis cell
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has set up a crisis cell to coordinate with all federal civil military and provincial agencies for damage assessment

K-P PDMA helpline numbers
K-P PDMA has issued the following helpline numbers:
091-9213845
091-9213959
091-9223662

Death toll jumps to 52 in Pakistan
The death toll in Pakistan has jumped to at least 52, officials told AFP.
The toll stood at least 28 in the northern tribal areas, 20 in Peshawar, three in Gilgit-Baltistan and one in Azad Kashmir, various officials told AFP.
A further 17 people were known to have died in Afghanistan.

Three killed in Shangla
Three people, including a woman and a child, were killed as a number of houses collapsed in Shangla district.
A large number of injured people were shifted to district headquarter hospital in Alpuri and Civil Hospitals in Beesham, Chaklesar and Martong areas.
Further, roads were closed for traffic due to landsliding and telephone and electricity transmission systems were disrupted.

50 killed in K-P
There are reports of 50 deaths in K-P so far, while the death toll is expected to rise, Express News reports.

17 killed in Afghanistan
At least 17 people have been killed in Afghanistan, Reuters reports.

37 killed in Pakistan
The death toll from the earthquake in Pakistan now stands at 37, Express News reports.

Paramedics treat a girl injured in an earthquake at a hospital in Peshawar on October 26, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

Eight people, including four children, died in Bajaur tribal district along the Afghan border, eight others including four children were killed in Mingora city in Swat Valley, and one woman was killed in Peshawar, according to AFP.

12 schoolgirls killed in Afghan province of Takhar
At least 12 girls were killed after a stampede broke out in their school in the northern Afghan province of Takhar following the earthquake.
“The students rushed to escape the school building in Taluqan city (capital of Takhar), triggering a stampede,” Takhar education department chief Enayat Naweed told AFP.
“Twelve students, all minors, were killed and 35 others were injured.”

‘Tremors caused severe damage’
Tremors have caused a lot of damage in Kalam, Kidam, Manikyal and surrounding areas, Deputy Commissioner Swat Valley Saleem Marwat said. Further, landslides have made these areas inaccessible, our correspondent reports.

Reports of 15 deaths from Pakistan
Death toll from the earthquake now stands at 15 in Pakistan, Express News reports.

Pakistani federal employees gather outside their offices after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Islamabad on October 26, 2015.

Afghan chief executive calls for rescue efforts in Afghanistan
Afghan Chief Executive Dr Abdullah orders provincial authorities to reach out to those in need through emergency response teams.

Rawalpindi Corps Commander flies to AJK, G-B
Rawalpindi Corps Commander has flown to far flung areas of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Balistan for damage assessment, says ISPR.

An eyewitness account
“It was horrifying, I was inside my office and rushed to the exit door,” said Kashif Khan, a cashier at a local bank in Aabpara told The Express Tribune.

Pakistani federal employees gather outside their offices after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Islamabad on October 26, 2015.

Adnan Abbasi, an employee at a hotel in Islamabad’s G-6, “At first he could not understand what was going on, when I saw everyone running I ran out of the building as well.”

Modi offers assistance to Pakistan
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan.

Heard about strong earthquake in Afghanistan-Pakistan region whose tremors have been felt in parts of India. I pray for everyone's safety.

15 injured in Peshawar
According to Rescue 1122, at least 15 people have been injured in Peshawar.
“Most of the injured were hit by bricks falling from buildings while a few jumped out of buildings in panic,” Bilal Fazi, Rescue 1122 spokesperson said.

13 killed in Pakistan
There are reports of at least 13 deaths in Pakistan.
Map showing the epicenter of the earthquake


All military hospitals on high alert: ISPR 
Pakistan Army rescue teams depart for quick assessment of damage and loss of property caused by earthquake, DG ISPR Asim Bajwa tweets.


Emergency declared in hospitals across Peshawar
A state of emergency has been declared in hospitals across Peshawar, our correspondent Umer Farooq reports.

Four killed in northwestern Pakistan
Four people have been killed in northwestern Pakistan, according to Reuters.

PM Nawaz calls for mobilisation of resources to earthquake-hit areas
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed all federal civil, military and provincial agencies to declare immediate alert and mobilise all resources to ensure security of citizens.

Kashmiri girls stand on a road divider after vacating their office buildings following an earthquake in Srinagar October 26, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

Army chief calls for immediate rescue operations
Army chief General Raheel Sharif has directed Pakistan Army to start rescue operations across earthquake-hit areas immediately, the military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations said in a statement.

Earthquake measured 8.1 on Richter scale: Met dept
However, Pakistan’s Meteorological Department has said the earthquake measured 8.1 on the Richter scale.

Phone lines disrupted in parts of K-P
Following the earthquake, phone lines were disrupted in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Some houses have collapsed in Kaghan Valley, our correspondent Muhammad Sadaqat reports. However, there are no reports of casualties as yet.
2005 earthquake: ‘Same magnitude tremor can flatten Karachi’
Further, buildings have collapsed in Dabgari Garden and Warsak Road in Peshawar, our correspondent reports. It will take time to confirm the extent of damage or casualties as the most vulnerable areas are improperly constructed buildings.

Strong earthquake jolts Islamabad, parts of K-P

People rush out of offices in New Delhi. PHOTO: AFP

Tremors felt for over one minute
According to sources tremors were felt for over one minute. The quake spread panic among people and they rushed out of their homes, however; no loss of life or property has been reported so far.

Men stand on a road divider after vacating their office buildings following an earthquake in Islamabad, Pakistan, October 26, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

No immediate report of injuries
The quake was 196 km deep and centred 82 km southeast of Feyzabad in a remote area of Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush mountain range. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
3.5 magnitude earthquake jolts Sindh’s coastal belt

Aftershocks are still being felt
Aftershocks are still being felt and people have been advised to vacate buildings, Express News reported.

People stand on a road after vacating buildings following an earthquake in Srinagar October 26, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

Hundreds of people raced from buildings onto the streets in New Delhi while the quake was also felt in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, according to an AFP reporter.