Hundreds have died in a strong earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale which rocked Pakistan on Saturday morning, said local TV reports.

Most of the deaths were in the northern area of Mansehra and from Pakistan controlled Kashmir as several villages were "wiped out" by the strong quake epicentered some 100 kilometers north of Islamabad.

The quake shook buildings of Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, for about one minute at around 8:55 a.m., forcing residents to run out of houses to stay in the open air.

Large-scale collapse of mud houses was reported in Rawla Kot area of Azad Kashmir, while a village entirely wiped out in Bagh in the quake.

Director General, Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) and Military spokesman, Major General Shaukat Sultan said that Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir and other cities of the country were severely hit by the earthquake, while in some outskirt areas of Azad Kashmir several villages have totally disappeared.

He said that Pakistan Army has already started the relief work in affected areas and its scores of teams along with helicopters were in operation.

Several school, college and residential buildings also caved in various towns of the territory.

Meanwhile, Gilgit-Chitral highway was closed after land- slidings triggered by tremors. Several houses were razed in Kohistan and Buttgram districts. People injured in quake incidents have been transferred to hospitals for medical aid.

Besides, he said one 19-storey building in Islamabad has been partially damaged by the earthquake and the people trapped therein were being rescued.

Source: Xinhua