Earthquake tremors felt in Quetta, adjoining areas

QUETTA: An earthquake jolts struck the provincial capital and other cities of northern and eastern Balochistan on Wednesday night, however no loss of life was reported.

According to ARY News correspondent, the tremor struck Quetta and other areas at around 1.30am, forcing people to leave their homes and workplaces and rush into the open.

The metrological department said that the epicentre of the 3.0 magnitude earthquake was found some 10km southeast of Kharan. The quake originated in 25km depth.

According to reports, the tremor was felt in Harnai, Shahrag, Mastung, Mach, Kolpur, Pishin and several other areas of northern and eastern Balochistan.

No casualty or property damage was reported. However, cracks were reported in some mud houses in areas on the outskirts of Quetta and other areas.

Officials of the district administration said rescue teams were dispatched to these areas.

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake had struck Hindukush region of Afghanistan, triggering tremors in most parts of Pakistan in January last year.

A two-year-old girl had lost her life while three were injured in the wake of powerful quake that struck the region. The casualty had occurred in Balochistan’s Lasbela district where the roof of a decrepit house collapsed after the quake. The quake rattled the country at 12.06 pm (Pakistan time).

On October 26, 2015 a 7.5 magnitude quake ripped across Pakistan and Afghanistan, killing more than 390 people in total. In Pakistan, at least 276 people had perished in the calamity.

Pakistan had confirmed death toll at 272, with 2,227 people injured and nearly 25,000 homes damaged, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.