Earthquake kills 19 in Pakistan

Nineteen people died and over 300 were injured after an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir's Mirpur on Tuesday at 4:32 pm.

The epicentre of the earthquake was 140 kilometres from Srinagar at the depth of 10 kilometres, the United States Geological Survey reported.

According to co-ordinates released by the US agency, the epicentre of the earthquake was located near the New Mirpur city in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Tremors of the earthquake were felt in Delhi-NCR, Chandigarh, Kashmir, parts of Himachal as well as several towns in Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa range.

Soon after the earthquake struck, Twitter was filled with photographs and videos showing cracked roads and damaged vehicles in the New Mirpur city. Mirpur has suffered extensive damage, buildings have collapsed, roads have been cut in half while roofs and walls of houses have also been destroyed.

The road that collapsed due to the earthquake has fallen into the upper Jehlum river. Because of this, the water of the river has entered the surrounding residential areas.

The spillway from the Mangla Dam has been closed to cut down the flow of water in upper Jehlum river.

Pakistan's meteorological department has warned people of aftershocks of similar intensity in the next 24 to 48 hours and has asked them to take necessary precautions.

Areas extending deeper into PoK like Kotli and Bhimber have also suffered to damages caused by the earthquake. _Agencies

Dhaka/AKA