A powerful earthquake that struck parts of Pakistan on June 3 caused widespread destruction and chaos — including a mass escape from a prison in the northern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to Pakistani officials, the quake damaged several prison facilities, allowing more than 800 inmates to flee amid the confusion.
The quake, measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale, struck near the Hindu Kush mountain range, sending tremors across northern Pakistan and into neighboring Afghanistan and India. The epicenter was located near the remote district of Chitral, but its effects were felt as far as Islamabad and Lahore, prompting evacuations and emergency responses in multiple provinces.
In Mansehra, one of the worst-hit districts, a large prison suffered structural collapse as walls cracked and security systems failed. Authorities said that guards, many of whom were injured or assisting rescue efforts, were unable to prevent inmates from breaking through damaged barriers.
Local police confirmed that more than 800 prisoners escaped, including some convicted of serious crimes. “We are conducting a full-scale manhunt and have already recaptured several escapees,” said provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat Khan. “The earthquake struck at a time when staff and inmates alike were trying to flee for their lives — it created panic and confusion.”
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that at least 95 people were killed and more than 300 injured across northern Pakistan. Dozens of buildings, including homes, schools, and hospitals, collapsed or sustained heavy damage. Rescue operations are ongoing, with military and civilian emergency teams deployed to affected areas.
The earthquake has compounded Pakistan’s existing humanitarian and infrastructure challenges. Power outages, blocked roads, and disrupted communication lines are hampering aid delivery and complicating efforts to locate missing persons.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called an emergency cabinet meeting and has vowed to deploy all available resources to assist victims and rebuild. “Our first priority is to save lives and restore order. We are also taking immediate steps to recover escaped prisoners and ensure public safety,” Sharif said.
The mass prison escape has raised concerns about security and governance, particularly in a region long affected by militancy and instability. Opposition leaders criticized the government’s lack of preparedness and questioned why prison facilities were not more structurally secure.
In the wake of the disaster, international aid organizations and neighboring countries have offered assistance. The United Nations expressed solidarity with Pakistan and pledged support for earthquake relief efforts.
As search-and-rescue teams work around the clock and authorities race to apprehend fugitives, the earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing Pakistan’s infrastructure — and the urgent need for preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
Source; Al Jazeera
