Pakistan experienced a series of two earthquake tremors on Saturday afternoon, April 12, 2025, within the span of just 36 minutes. The seismic activity caused widespread panic, prompting people across several cities to evacuate buildings and rush into open spaces.
The first earthquake, recorded at 11:54 AM, measured 4.3 on the Richter scale. According to seismic monitoring authorities, the quake’s epicenter was near the Pak-Afghan-Tajikistan border, and it occurred at a depth of 88 kilometers beneath the earth’s surface. While relatively mild, the tremors were strongly felt in Swat and nearby areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), alarming residents who experienced sudden shaking.
At 12:30 PM, just over half an hour later, a second and stronger earthquake hit the region. This time, the quake measured 5.5 on the Richter scale, and its epicenter was located 60 kilometers from Rawalpindi. Significantly, this quake occurred at a shallow depth of 12 kilometers, amplifying its impact and making the tremors more widely felt.
Residents in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan, Haripur, Abbottabad, Attock, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Jhang, Taxila, Wah Cantt, and surrounding towns reported feeling the ground shake. Many people were seen rushing out of buildings and congregating in open areas, fearing aftershocks.
Despite the intensity and the broad range of affected areas, local authorities have confirmed that no immediate casualties or significant infrastructure damage have been reported. Emergency services and disaster management authorities remain on high alert, continuing to assess any potential impact in both urban and rural regions.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, avoid spreading unverified information, and follow safety protocols during and after seismic activity.
