5.8 magnitude earthquake rocks Pakistan, kills 25, injures 300 others

The northern Jehlum area of Pakistan situated in the Punjab province has been hit with a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, which has claimed the lives of no less than 25 people and injured 300 other victims.

Rescue operatives say some of those who were injured had serious injuries, and it is likely that the death toll could go up.

Reports also revealed that many residents in the area stayed outside their homes overnight for fear of more aftershocks.

According to Mirpur police chief Gul Faraz, the damage was mainly limited to the area around Mirpur, in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, located about 85km (53 miles) southeast of the country.

READ ALSO: EBOLA ROW: Tanzania summons WHO official over allegations of refusing to give info on recorded cases

“Our main road that goes along the canal was badly damaged and a bridge was destroyed. People are being brought in on motorcycles from there,” he said.

Speaking with Al Jazeera, local disaster management officials said they were still gathering reports from the site of the earthquake, but had received word of damage to infrastructure.

“We have reports of cracks in the roads there,” said disaster management official Ammar Raza Shaikh.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now