5.9-magnitude earthquake strikes near Khuzdar in Balochistan

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near Khuzdar district in Balochistan on Saturday morning, with tremors reported in and around the area.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said the earthquake occurred at 10:07am Pakistan Standard Time. It placed the epicentre about 48 kilometres northwest of Khuzdar, at latitude 28.02 degrees north and longitude 66.20 degrees east.

The department recorded the quake at a depth of 25 kilometres. Seismic agencies can report different preliminary magnitudes and depths as they analyse data from separate monitoring networks, but the location and timing indicate the same event near Khuzdar.

No loss of life or property damage had been reported in the available initial information. The situation may change if local authorities receive damage reports from affected communities after ground assessments.

Khuzdar lies in a region where earthquakes are periodically felt because Pakistan sits near the interaction of the Arabian, Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Seismic activity in and around Balochistan is therefore monitored closely by the national seismic network.

Residents should follow instructions from local authorities and avoid damaged structures if tremors have affected their area. Emergency officials typically assess buildings, roads and public infrastructure after a significant earthquake before confirming whether any damage or casualties occurred.

The latest quake follows other tremors reported in Balochistan during recent months. No official emergency measure or evacuation order had been announced in the initial reports.