Earthquake Shakes Central Pakistan

A moderate earthquake rattled central Pakistan on Sunday morning. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the tremor at a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), however, assessed the earthquake’s magnitude to be 5.5.

Initial reports indicated no immediate casualties or infrastructural damage resulting from the relatively shallow quake. The USGS indicated the earthquake occurred at approximately 3:30 am (2230 GMT), with its origin approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) north-northeast of Barkhan, a city situated in Balochistan province.

According to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the location of the earthquake was situated 149 km (92.5 miles) to the west of Multan. The GFZ also noted the tremor’s shallow depth, recording it at 10 km (6.2 miles).

Tremors were also experienced in Musakhel and adjacent areas following the earthquake. Monitoring agencies recorded the quake at a magnitude of 5.5, occurring at a depth of 28 kilometers. The epicenter was determined to be approximately 56 kilometers northeast of Musakhel district in Balochistan.

Currently, no reports of injuries or damage have been received. Relevant authorities continue to assess the situation.

Pakistan’s location along the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates makes it highly susceptible to seismic activity.

Emergency response in the region can be challenging. A 7.5-magnitude earthquake in 2015, which impacted Pakistan and Afghanistan, resulted in nearly 400 fatalities due to the challenging terrain hindering rescue operations.

In 2005, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake caused extensive damage, resulting in over 73,000 deaths and leaving roughly 3.5 million individuals displaced, mainly in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

In 2021, Balochistan province experienced an earthquake that caused at least 20 deaths and left over 10 individuals injured. Landslides further complicated initial rescue efforts within the remote mountainous region of Harnai.