Islamabad-Sana
At least 19 people have been killed and 300 injured in an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale that hit northern Pakistan today.
The Associated Press quoted Pakistani officials as saying that the strong earthquake killed 19 people, including 4 children and injured 300 others, and damaged dozens of houses and shops.
Earlier, eight people were killed and 100 injured.
Rescue deputy Raja Caesar said rescuers were still taking the victims to hospitals in Mirpur city, where a state of emergency was declared and one of its main streets was badly damaged, causing accidents and damage to buses and vehicles.
The Pakistani authorities have sent troops from the Pakistani army and medical teams to the affected area to help the civilian authorities to rescue the victims, indicating that helicopters will be used if necessary to evacuate people.
Pakistani President Arif Alawi and Prime Minister Imran Khan said in separate statements that they regretted the losses, while Information Minister Mushtaq Minhas said rescuers were still using ambulances to take the injured to hospitals.