Like other parts of the country, the earthquake also hit the provincial metropolis on Saturday at 8.52 am, which caused severe panic among people who came out of their houses or offices.
The intensity of the jolt was so high that the faithful started reciting 'Kalma Tayyaba'. Those who were sleeping had to wake up due to high intensity of earthquake.
Around 10 people were injured due to collapse of two buildings in Shah Almi area and a wall near Rangers Headquarters. Al-Falah building, Postal Life and Ferozesons building, situated on The Mall were also slightly damaged.
After the tremors, all offices in the Alfalah building were closed and the administration of the building served notices for vacating the premises. An office of M I Textiles also caught fire due to short-circuiting, which not only damaged the building but also gutted the office. According to company sources, the short-circuiting appeared due to earthquake.
In the new Alamgir Market, a three-storey building collapsed, and around 15 adjoining shops were also damaged.
After the quake, panic gripped the whole metropolis while rumourmongers added fuel to fire and people remained in a state of severe anxiety. The situation in different educational institutes remained tense and school children were sent back to their homes after the earthquake.
In Islamia College, Cooper Road, all girl students were asked to assemble on the College ground after the earthquake. Female lecturers of the College left for their homes leaving the students in severe state of anxiety. Some girl students outside the college were seen weeping and complaining that their teachers left them alone, in a helpless situation.
Official sources said here on Saturday that all the DCOs and DPOs in the province have been asked to constitute rescue and relief teams comprising officials of Police, Health and Civil Defence to cope with any emergency.
In order to cope with any emergency situation in the wake of the earthquake, the provincial government has sent two emergency squads comprising 30 officials each to Islamabad for the assistance of federal government. The emergency squads comprising Rescue ambulances and trained staff are fully capable to participate in relief activities.
Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has set up Chief Minister's Relief Fund in the province for the assistance and rehabilitation of earthquake victims.
As a result of earthquake, 3 children were killed and 31 injured in different parts of the province due to collapse of roofs, pillar etc.
One child died and six were injured due to collapse of roof of girls primary school at Mandi Bahauddin. One child was killed and six injured due to collapse of roof in girls high school railway workshop, Rawalpindi.
In Gujrat, five children were injured in Model School for Boys. In Sarai Alamgir, four boys were injured due to roof collapse.
In Sialkot one girl died and five injured due to collapse of a roof of school. In Attock, one child was injured due to collapse of pillar.
Provincial Crisis Management Cell is in contact with the administration of all concerned districts/ cities.