People of Balakot and adjoining areas Sunday observed the 18th anniversary of the devastating earthquake that took thousands of lives and destroyed Balakot City, where hospitals and schools are still waiting for reconstruction.
18 years ago, on October 8, 2005, at 8:52 a.m., some 80000 people died and houses were destroyed when an earthquake of 7.6 magnitudes hit Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the statistics, the earthquake left more than 17,000 people dead in Balakot alone. Collective prayers for the victims will be offered at different places in Balakot.
