Earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck very close to Pakistan's capital of Islamabad on Saturday, at around 1:59 am local time (2059 GMT).
Epicentre of the quake was only 16 kilometres northeast of Islamabad. Several Pakistani cities in the provinces of eastern Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa felt the jolts.
Though the earthquake was of moderate magnitude, the tremor struck at a relatively shallow depth of 26 kilometres. No casualties or damage were reported. According to local media reports residents of Islamabad said that they could feel and see buildings and vehicles shaking.
Also read, What to do when an Earthquake strikes?
Pakistan is susceptible to earthquakes as it lies in the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. On October 8, 2005, the country was hit by a massive earthquake of magnitude 7.6 which killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless.
Once again in September 2013, a quake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale devastated several areas in southwestern Baluchistan province. This time more than 370 people were killed and around 100,000 people were left homeless.
Also read, Deadliest earthquakes of the Century
Image credit - Telegraph UK
