Watch Videos: Powerful earthquake jolts parts of Pakistan

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake rattled parts of Pakistan on Saturday afternoon, sending residents scrambling for safety as buildings swayed and people rushed outdoors.

The quake struck at 12:31 PM local time, with its epicenter located 60 kilometers northwest of Rawalpindi, according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC).

People on the street after 5.8 earthquake that was felt in Islamabad, Pakistan pic.twitter.com/8syXHLx2I9

— Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI) April 12, 2025

Tremors were felt across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad, including major cities like Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Muzaffarabad. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, residents of Peshawar, Mardan, Mohmand, and Shabqadar reported shaking, while areas such as Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, and Rawalakot in Punjab also experienced the quake.

Social media quickly flooded with videos capturing the moments the ground shook—ceiling fans swinging, furniture trembling, and crowds gathering outside homes and offices. One Islamabad resident from Sector F-11 described the panic: “My building swayed left and right. Everyone ran out of their homes—it felt like it wouldn’t stop.”

بریکنگ 🚨🚨🚨
اسلام آباد سمیت ملک کے مختلف شہروں میں زلزلے کے جھٹکے، شہری اپنے گھر سے باہر نکل آئے۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/OD33pnw9DX

— Azaad Urdu (@azaad_urdu) April 12, 2025

Despite the intensity, no immediate casualties or structural damage were reported. Authorities urged calm as teams assessed the situation, emphasizing preparedness for aftershocks. The NSMC confirmed the quake originated at a shallow depth of 12 kilometers, with coordinates 33.90°N latitude and 72.66°E longitude.

As communities regrouped, the focus remained on vigilance. “Stay alert, but don’t panic,” officials advised, reminding residents to follow safety protocols during seismic events. For now, life is returning to normal—a reminder of nature’s unpredictability in a region all too familiar with earthquakes.