Moderate earthquake rattles parts of Balochistan

A moderate earthquake hit parts of Balochistan in the wee hours of Sunday, prompting residents to flee their homes in panic.

Officials confirmed that no casualties or structural damage had been reported so far.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake with magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale struck at around 3:30 am (2230 GMT) at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The epicentre was identified approximately 60 kilometers north-northeast of Barkhan in Balochistan's rugged terrain.

Germany's GFZ estimated the magnitude at 5.5, while the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre located the epicentre about 149 kilometers west of Multan.

Pakistan’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre reported a depth of 28 kilometers and placed the epicentre 56 kilometers northeast of Musakhel district.

“There have been no immediate reports of injuries or damage,” said a spokesperson for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), adding that authorities are in contact with local administrations and continue to monitor the situation closely.

Pakistan sits along the seismically active boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Earthquakes are a frequent occurrence, especially in Balochistan, where mountainous terrain poses additional challenges for emergency response and communication.