Quake rocks Pakistan, India

2005-10-10 13:04

Islamabad - A huge earthquake measuring at least 7.6 on the Richter Scale shook northern Pakistan and India on Saturday, causing substantial damage and warnings of many casualties.

The quake struck at 05:50 with its epicentre around 95km northeast of Islamabad, causing widespread panic in the Pakistani capital and the partial collapse of a building with many people inside.

There were no immediate reports of confirmed casualties, but the US Geological Survey warned: "This earthquake may have caused substantial damage and casualties due to its location and size."

The USGS and the Pakistan Meteorological Department said the quake measured 7.6 on the Richter Scale, while the Japanese Meteorological Agency put the temblor at 7.8.

The quake was felt across northern and eastern Pakistan, as well as in the Indian-controlled zone of the disputed territory of Kashmir. It was also felt in the Afghan capital Kabul.

In Islamabad the top two storeys of a residential building collapsed causing an unknown number of casualties, witnesses said.

Hundreds of terrified people standing in the open watched as people used their bare hands to try to reach those trapped inside.

There were also reports of houses and structures collapsing in cities and towns in northern Pakistan.

Witnesses reported panicked people fleeing into the streets of the Pakistani capital and the eastern city of Lahore.

"It was so severe in Lahore that we rushed out of our homes and we are still outside," said Sohail Ahmed, a local resident.

Witnesses in Islamabad said the ground shook for over 30 seconds, rocking buildings and causing widespread panic. A second, less severe jolt lasted about five seconds.

Many mosques in Islamabad started reciting special prayers straight afterwards.

The quake was felt in Indian Kashmir, causing panic and bringing people pouring out onto the streets of the summer capital Srinagar, police and witnesses said.

"This is the strongest earthquake I have ever witnessed in my life," said Aisha Begum, 84.

Screaming could be heard from across the city as people fled homes, shops and offices.

India's National Disaster Management Division said there were no reports of deaths or damage in most of the states that experienced tremors, with the exception of India's northernmost state.

The quake was felt as far away as the western Pakistani city of Quetta, some 700km southwest of Islamabad, and in the Afghan capital Kabul some 380km west of the Pakistani capital.

- AFP