A 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Balochistan today in the early hours of Sunday morning, as confirmed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The Earthquake occurred at about 3:30am and the epicentre was about 60km north-northeast of Barkhan city.
Officials have reported that no one was killed instantly. According to Senior Levies officer Tuqeer Shah, the earthquake shook vast regions such as Rara Shaim and Kingri.
Barkhan Injuries and Damage Reported
According to preliminary reports, Rara Shaim saw injuries to at least 3 people, including a couple. Their house collapsed on the roof during the tremor. Hospital teams transferred the injured to hospital. More than half a dozen houses were damaged and cracks were seen in some others.
As 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Balochistan today, Rescue teams have arrived at the affected areas to determine the extent of the damage.
Pakistan is located on a major tectonic plate boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates. This position predisposes the country to frequent earthquakes.
The geography of the region usually makes rescue operations difficult. In 2015, an earthquake of 7.5 magnitude in Pakistan and Afghanistan claimed the lives of almost 400 people. Rough terrain hampered relief efforts.
In 2005, Azad Kashmir was hit by a 7.6 magnitude quake. It claimed the lives of over 73,000 and rendered 3.5 million homeless.
In 2021, Balochistan was also hit by a deadly quake. It killed 20 people and wounded more than 10 in the mountainous Harnai district. In that case, early rescue efforts were also hindered by landslides.
