Panic, scare follow earthquake

LAHORE: Fear gripped the provincial capital after the 6.2 magnitude earthquake jolted the provincial capital and its surrounding cities, forcing majority of citizens to literally run for safe places to save their lives on Wednesday.

Met officials said the quake was felt in many cities, including Lahore at 12.07 PM. They said the earthquake was measured 6.1 on the Richter scale with a focal depth of 169 kilometre while its epicenter was in Hindukush mountain range in Afghanistan.

Soon after the quake, majority of the citizens especially those working/residing in high-rises were seen standing on roads, reciting verses from the holy Quran. People also left their homes, shopping malls and other buildings in panic during the quake. Following the quake, most of the multi-storey buildings, big shopping malls and other buildings were vacated across the city.

Ajmal, a resident of New Anarkali, said that he was present in his upper storey residence when he felt that the floor was jolting. He said he took his children and came out on the road where most of other area people were also present.

“I was in a superstore when the earthquake hit the city,” said Mrs Ahsan, a resident of Johar Town. She said she felt that the building shivered thrice. Majority of the people and she started running out of the building, she said. Mujahid Hussain, a resident of Samanabad, said he was serving tea to his boss in his 10th floor office at Arifa Karim Tower when the earthquake came.