Earthquake in PoK, cracks in roads, houses converted into rubble

The tremors of a 5.8 magnitude earthquake were felt in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and several cities in the north-eastern parts of the country on Tuesday. The earthquake killed 22 people in PoK while more than 300 people are reported injured.

According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was located near New Mirpur in PoK. PoK was badly affected by the earthquake. The earthquake occurred at 4.20 pm with the epicenter at a depth of 10 km.

Roads in Mirpur appear to be badly damaged. Many vehicles are overturned. Many cars fell into deep pits on the roads due to the earthquake. The Government Broadcasting Building at Mirpur was badly damaged. Witnesses said that the earthquake was very powerful and people came out of the buildings in panic.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Mushtaq Minhas told the media that 22 people died in Mirpur and its surrounding areas due to this earthquake. The injured are undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Photo: Pak Minister Farooq Haider Khan arrived to know the condition of the injured

The earthquake measured 5.8 on the Richter scale, the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Center said. Its center was located near the hill town of Jhelum in Punjab province at a depth of 10 km from the ground.

In Jatlan, Mirpur, a road passing through the banks of the canal was completely sunk and many vehicles parked on the road were badly damaged. Not only this, but a large number of houses have also been damaged.

Many houses in Mirpur collapsed after the earthquake. A considerable part of a mosque collapsed in the area which is badly affected by the earthquake. A state of emergency has been declared in hospitals in PoK.

This canal originates from the Mangala Dam on the Jhelum River, around which this damage has occurred. A bridge on the canal has also been broken and there is a danger of watering the canal in the surrounding villages. According to Pakistan’s Geo News channel, about 20 villages have settled along the banks of the canal, where thousands of people may get trapped due to the earthquake.