Residents of Peshawar and its surrounding areas were jolted by a moderate earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The tremors, which originated deep within the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan, prompted many to evacuate buildings as a precautionary measure.
According to the Seismological Centre, the earthquake’s epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region, at a significant depth of 211 kilometers. This deep focus often results in tremors that are widely felt but tend to cause less surface damage compared to shallower quakes of similar magnitude.
Initial reports from authorities indicate no immediate loss of life or significant property damage in Peshawar or elsewhere across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the quake was also felt. Rescue teams and district administration officials are closely monitoring the situation, ready to respond if any unforeseen issues arise.
The region encompassing Pakistan and Afghanistan is highly susceptible to seismic activity due to its geographical location at the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The relentless northward movement of the Indian plate into the Eurasian plate frequently triggers earthquakes of varying intensities.
This latest seismic event comes after a series of tremors recorded in Pakistan in recent months. Approximately one month ago, a 5.3-magnitude earthquake, also centered in the Hindu Kush, affected Islamabad and several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Mardan, Swat, Nowshera, Swabi, and North Waziristan. Furthermore, the coastal city of Karachi has recently experienced an unusual cluster of nearly 30 mild earthquakes, which Chief Meteorologist Aamir Haider attributed to the activation and subsequent normalization phase of the long-dormant Landhi Fault Line.
While earthquakes are a recurrent phenomenon in this seismically active zone, residents are consistently advised to remain prepared and follow safety guidelines to mitigate risks during such natural occurrences. The relative depth of Wednesday’s earthquake likely played a role in preventing more severe consequences, providing a measure of relief to the affected populace.