MANSEHRA: At least 12 people were injured as upper parts of Hazara region were jolted by an earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale early on Friday morning.

The quake, followed by a series of aftershocks, triggered panic among the residents of Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan and Torghar districts forcing them to come out of their houses at about 3am.

Tremors were also felt in Bajaur.

According to the Met Department in Islamabad, the epicentre of the earthquake was 51km north-east of Mansehra.

Six people were injured when they jumped out of windows of the Plaza hotel in Lari Adda area of Mansehra district and were taken to King Abdullah hospital.

Six people were injured in other areas and were taken to the district headquarter hospital in Battagram.

“We have dispatched our staff to three tehsils in the district, but no report of damage to life or property has been received,” Man-sehra’s Deputy Commissioner Aamer Khattak told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015

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