Pakistan: 5.1 magnitude earthquake hits Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province May 9

Event

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province around 08:00 (local time) on Wednesday, May 9. The epicenter was located 20 km (12 mi) northwest of Bannu. Tremors have been felt across the province as well as in eastern Punjab and the capital Islamabad. No damages or casualties have been reported.

Context

Pakistan straddles part of the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the country susceptible to earthquakes. On October 8, 2005, the country was hit by a 7.6 magnitude quake that killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless, mainly in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

Advice

Aftershocks often follow an earthquake and can lead to damages and loss of life. Individuals present in areas affected by the earthquake are advised to follow all instructions issued by local authorities and keep abreast of the situation.