5.8 magnitude Earthquake strikes PoK; 19 killed, over 300 injured

At least 19 people were killed and more than 300 ors injured in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok) on Tuesday after a 5.8-magnitude quake jolted several cities in rrn parts of region. According to US Geological Survey, epicentre of quake was near New Mirpur in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police in Mirpur, Sardar Gulfaraz Khan, told media that at least 19 people were killed and over 300 injured in Mirpur and surrounding areas due to powerful quake. Pakistan Meteorological Department's earthquake centre said 5.8-magnitude earthquake was located near mountaius city of Jehlum in Punjab province. Its depth was at 10 kilometres. However, Minister for Science Faw Chaudhry said that intensity of quake was 7.1.

Emergency declared in PoK Hospitals

Some houses collapsed in Mirpur following earthquake, Deputy Commissioner Raja Qaiser said. Parts of a mosque also collapsed in area, which is severely affected by quake. Emergency has been declared in hospitals across PoK. Television channels showed foot of heavily damd ros in Mirpur, with many vehicles overturned. Several cars fell into deep cracks on ros.   quake was powerful and created panic as people ran out of building, eyewitnesses said. Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed "immediate rescue operation in aid of civil ministration" for victims of earthquake in PoK. Army troops with aviation and medical support teams have been dispatched, media wing of army tweeted.

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Most dam done in Mirpur and Jhelum

Lt. Gen. Muhamm Afzal, chairman of National Disaster Manment Authority, said that most of dam was done in Mirpur and Jhelum. "We are assessing dam to life and property," he said. Several cities including Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Skardu, Kohat, Charsda, Kasur, Faisalab, Gujrat, Sialkot, Abbottab, Mansehra, Chitral, Malakand, Multan, Shangla, Okara, wshera, Attock and Jhang felt tremor. Pakistan's major water reservoir Mangla Dam located near Mirpur remained safe, officials said. Mangla dam powerhouse has been closed, cutting off 900 MW power supply to national grid, y said. However, upper Jhelum canal was damd and water inundated various vills.

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