Musakhel Quake Injures Over 20, Damages 90 Homes
More than 20 people were injured and over 90 houses were damaged after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Musakhel district in Balochistan on Saturday, creating panic across several rural settlements. The tremors were reported in Hingri tehsil and surrounding areas, where residents rushed out of homes as walls cracked and weak structures suffered damage.
According to the report, the earthquake affected communities in Musakhel and nearby regions including Barkhan, Rakhni and Kohlu. The strongest impact was reported in scattered settlements where mud and stone houses are more vulnerable to tremors, especially in mountainous terrain with limited access to emergency services.
Local officials said the injured included women and children, while damage assessments were still under way in remote villages. Assistant Commissioner Najeebullah Kakar stated that communication links with far-flung areas had not yet been fully restored, making it difficult for authorities to immediately confirm the complete scale of losses.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority had earlier confirmed injuries and structural damage following the tremors. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre recorded the earthquake at magnitude 5.1 and placed its epicentre around 58 kilometres northeast of Barkhan district, adding to concerns that aftershocks could further disturb already weakened homes.
Reports of damage also came from Kangari, Rarasham and Kajhori areas, where local administrations were working to reach affected families. Relief teams have been sent to quake-hit locations for rescue and support operations, while officials continue to gather information from areas where roads and communication remain difficult.
The earthquake triggered fear among residents who moved into open spaces after the tremors. In rural Balochistan, many families live in houses built from mud, stone and unreinforced materials, which can suffer heavy damage even during moderate earthquakes when the epicentre is close to populated areas.
Balochistan has a long history of seismic activity because of its location near major fault lines. The province has repeatedly experienced earthquakes that caused damage to homes, schools, roads and public buildings, particularly in districts where rescue access is limited and construction standards are uneven.
The latest tremor is significant for Pakistan because it highlights the continued vulnerability of remote communities to natural disasters. Beyond immediate injuries and damaged houses, affected families may need temporary shelter, medical care, clean water and food support if their homes are declared unsafe.
Authorities are expected to continue assessment work in the coming hours and determine whether additional rescue resources are required. The immediate priority will be to restore communication with isolated areas, provide relief to injured residents and ensure that families in damaged houses are moved to safer locations if aftershocks occur.