Almost 19 were killed as an earthquake of 6.5 magnitude has shaken several parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Tuesday, according to media reports.

Also, several people were injured people were rushed to the nearest hospital.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the epicentre of the earthquake was Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, while its depth was 180 kilometres. Earthquake tremors were felt in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Peshawar, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, and other areas of the country.

As per media reports, strong tremors were also felt in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Kot Momin, Madh Ranjha, Chakwal, Kohat and Gilgit-Baltistan areas. Television footage showed panic-stricken citizens out on the streets.

Official statements                 

Speaking to the media, a spokesman for Pakistan’s emergency services said that over 100 people were brought to the hospitals in the Swat valley region of Pakistan ahead of the earthquake.

“These terrified people collapsed, and some of them collapsed because of the shock of the earthquake,” the spokesperson said.

In Pakistan, the earthquake killed nine people, including two women, and injured over 160 others as well as caused many buildings to collapse, said the officials.

At the time of the earthquake, a stampede was reported in the markets of Rawalpindi, said the media reports.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has asked disaster management officials to remain vigilant to handle any situation, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan.

Also Read: Massive Earthquake In Afghanistan, Strong Tremors Of 6.5 Magnitude Felt In North India As Well

Emergency declared in hospitals

Moreover, an emergency was declared in the hospitals of the federal capital on the instructions of Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel.

According to the international seismological centre, apart from Pakistan, tremors were also felt in India, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China and Kyrgyzstan.