A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck major cities of Pakistan, including the northern areas on Monday, leaving at least 200 dead and more than 1,000 injured due to building collapses, landslides, stampedes and other quake related incidents.

The earthquake struck the country at 2:09pm today (Monday).

The death toll could climb in the coming days because communications are down in much of the remote mountainous region.

Forty minutes after the first earthquake, an aftershock of 4.8 magnitude was reported in the same area. Aftershocks are expected to continue in the affected areas.

While the magnitude of today’s earthquake is close to the devastating quake of 2005, the epicentre of the 2005 quake was shallow, causing more destruction, said analyst Faheem Zaman.

The earthquake in 2005 was at a depth of 26 km, while today’s earthquake was at a depth of 196 km.

US ready to provide quake assistance to Pakistan

The United States stands ready to provide support to the government of Pakistan, the White House said.

“The US government has been in touch with the governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan and we stand ready to provide any additional support that may be needed,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told a briefing.

In Pakistan, USAID has existing partners who are ready to respond if necessary, Earnest added.

Modi calls Nawaz, offers assistance

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and expressed condolences over the lives lost in the earthquake. He also offered assistance and cooperation to Pakistan in this hour of ned.