Earthquake hits twin cities

Islamabad: People panicked as strong tremors were felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Malakand and Hazara, night between Friday and Saturday.

However, no damage to public life and property was reported.

The quake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale had the epicentre in Hindu Kush mountains.  After the tremors, which were felt at around 1 a.m. and lasted 30 seconds, the people stepped out of houses and buildings fearing aftershocks.

According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre of the earthquake was 117 kilometres east of Swat city of Mingaora at a depth of 43.4 kilometres.  In August, too, tremors measuring 5.1 on the Richter Scale had jolted Islamabad and adjoining areas.