Earthquake felt across South Asia: Over 300 killed in Afghanistan, Pakistan

New Delhi, Oct 26: A massive earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitude on Monday, Oct 26, shook Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of north India, including the national capital New Delhi and NCR region, triggering massive panic.

Strong tremors were felt in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the epicenter being reported from Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan, struck at around 2.40 pm.

According to Pakistan's MeT Department, the earthquake's magnitude was found to be 8.1.

The India Meteorological Department said the epicentre of the quake lay in the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan.

The US Geological Survey put the epicenter near Jarm in the country's northeast, 250 kilometres (160 miles) from the capital Kabul and at a depth of 213.5 km. It put the intensity at 7.7 on the Richter scale.

In India, the tremors jolted the whole of northern India including Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

People frantically rushed out of their houses and offices as the ground shook. Everywhere, tens of thousands of people fled out of their homes and high-rise buildings.

Pakistanis took to social media to post reports of a "massive quake", Dawn said.

It said the tremors were felt in major cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Kohat and Malakand.

The quake, which lasted at least one minute, shook buildings in Kabul, Islamabad and New Delhi, sending people rushing into the streets.

In Srinagar, residents said they saw the buildings "swinging", remindig them of the devastating quake in 2005.

According to National Center for Seismology, a unit of Ministry of Earth Science, the epicentre of the earthquake was the Hindukush mountain range, known to be a high sesimic zone. The earthquake occured at the depth of 190 kms.

Delhi Metro halts, resumes services

Delhi Metro immediately halted its services for some time after strong tremors shook the Indian capital

"Metro trains were stopped as per standard procedure. The entire system was shut down," Delhi Metro executive director Anuj Dayal said.

The quake also affected telecom services in Delhi and neighbouring regions as hundreds of thousands of people began telephoning one another.

"Massive, massive it was... praying." This is how Delhi's Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra reacted as a major earthquake shook the Indian capital.

60 killed, over 100 injured in Pakistan

At least sixty people were killed and over hundred were injured in Pakistan when a major earthquake hit parts of the country.

12 school girls killed in stampede in Afghanistan

12 school girls were reportedly killed during a stampede in Afghanistan, when the country was rocked by a powerful quake.

Aftershocks were felt at 3.19 pm in Farkhar, Afghanistan.

Indians in Kabul safe

All Indians in Kabul are safe and there are no reports of damage to Indian owned property in the city in the wake of a devastating earthquake with its epicentre in Afghanistan, an Indian embassy official said.

"As of now, there are no reports of casualties or injuries among Indians," the official told a news agency on the phone at 4.30 pm (IST), adding that Indian Ambassador Amar Sinha was going around the city to assess the situation.

Attempts were also being made to contact the Indian consulates in Afghanistan to assess the situation, the official added.

Tremors felt in Nepal

Strong tremors shook different parts of Nepal including Kathmandu after a major earthquake jolted Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, The Himalayan Post reported.

PM Narendra Modi offers help to Afghanistan, Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India was ready to provide assistance to Kabul and Islamabad following a powerful earthquake with epicentre in Afghanistan.

Heard about strong earthquake in Afghanistan-Pakistan region whose tremors have been felt in parts of India. I pray for everyone's safety.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015

I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 26, 2015

Do not panic, Kejriwal says

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked people not to panic after a powerful earthquake jolted the capital.

Delhi government also activated its disaster management teams soon after strong tremors jolted the national capital making people scurry for cover and bringing the metro to a halt.

Please stay calm & do not panic. Disaster management teams have been activated

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 26, 2015

Here are some Twitter reactions:

Strong tremors felt in Ludhiana, earthquake was 7.7 on Richter Scale with epicentre in Hindukush, Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/PItp3TM9kK

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 26, 2015

An earthquake rattles lights in our office in Noida. Tremors lasted over 2 minutes. Wonder how it's at the epicentre pic.twitter.com/iXOaIDU5iy

— Rajesh Kalra (@rajeshkalra) October 26, 2015

In Malakand Swat, more than 20 people are injured due to collapse of houses #Earthquake

— Farhan Khan Virk (@FarhanKVirk) October 26, 2015

Follow this very very seriously. In case of #EarthQuake Exit Building Before #Tweeting about it !!!!!! pic.twitter.com/AVPKmwvRqd

— Dhaval Patel (@dhaval241086) October 26, 2015

8.1 magnitude #earthquake jolts country https://t.co/khhYGdGuku #Pakistan

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 26, 2015

NDMA puts all concerned rescue departments on HIGH ALERT; issues warning regarding after shocks also #Earthquake

— Mansoor Ali Khan (@_Mans00r) October 26, 2015

Last time, #Earthquake lead to an entire Lake in GB region. Now glaciers are falling..pray pic.twitter.com/TOQmtfxN7B

— Farhan Khan Virk (@FarhanKVirk) October 26, 2015

7.7 #Earthquake, epicentre in Hindukush mountains. Impact assessment underway, details awaited.

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) October 26, 2015

Stay safe. Stay blessed. That was serious. #earthquake #prayers

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 26, 2015

#Earthquake : Groups of people outside their houses after they felt tremors. Reports @niteshsNBT pic.twitter.com/RyFfZZGP1e

— NBT Dilli (@NBTDilli) October 26, 2015

Epicentre of #earthquake 45km South-South West of Jarm in Afghanistan and 256km North of Kabul; 7.7 on Richter scale, 190Km Depth: USGS

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 26, 2015

Epicenter 45km SSW of Jarm, Afghanistan. #EarthQuake

— Brumby گوشت خور (@brownbrumby) October 26, 2015

Nature's fury... #Pakistan #GilgitBaltistan #earthquake #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/XJZLU7mpKe

— Paresh Rawal (@Babu_Bhaiyaa) October 26, 2015

Those who can donate blood, must go to the nearest hospitals and blood banks to donate, especially those living in KPK.. Help!! #Earthquake

— Simky (@SeharSaleem007) October 26, 2015

Now this is something to research. In last 500 years MAJOR #EarthQuake came on 26th of month@USGS @SJEarthquakes pic.twitter.com/dqtW2x1gbb

— #GauravPradhan (@DrGPradhan) October 26, 2015

This is the result of our sins. May ALLAH forgive us all... #Earthquake

— عینی حیات (@PTI_Ki_Tigress) October 26, 2015

Thanks GOD Allah for saving us.. I saw death.. I was in old university campus i can't explain what happened there... #earthquake

— Samia Jawad (@SaamiaJawad) October 26, 2015

OneIndia News

(With Agency inputs)