Aftershocks rock Islamabad

2005-10-08 13:50

Islamabad - Strong aftershocks including one measuring more than 6.0 on the Richter scale rattled Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Saturday after a major quake that was feared to have killed more than 1 000 people.

There have been at least 14 aftershocks since the 7.6-strength tremor earlier in the day, and they could continue for the next 48 hours, the chief of the country's meteorological department, Qamar Uzzman, said.

"It was a strong aftershock. Its magnitude appears to be more than six," he said of the strongest aftershock which hit at around 12:50, almost exactly seven hours after the main quake.

"We have already received 14 aftershocks since the first quake jolted Islamabad," he said.

"The aftershocks could be damaging for buildings which have already developed cracks," he added.

The epicentre of the aftershocks appears to be shifting from north to northeast "towards the Kashmir side," he said. - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA