At least 20 killed, hundreds injured after powerful earthquake jolts Balochistan

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023

A strong earthquake in different parts of Balochistan killed at least 20 people and injured more than 300 others early Thursday morning.

Aftershocks were still being felt in different areas till hours after the quake. The earliest tremors were felt at 3:20am after which panicked citizens rushed out of their houses, reciting kalimas and verses from the holy Quran. Relief and rescue activities are underway in the affected areas with an emergency declared in all hospitals.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), most of the deceased are children.

The quake affected Quetta, Sibi, Harnai, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Chaman, Ziarat and Zhob in Balochistan. The magnitude of the quake was measured at 5.9 on the Richter scale.

The death toll is feared to rise. According to the seismological centre, the epicentre was located near Harnai at a depth of 15km.

Much of the damage appears to have affected the Harnai district, officials said. Harnai, which is located east of the provincial capital Quetta, has a large number of coal mines.

A medical emergency has been declared at the Civil Hospital Quetta where doctors and other paramedical staff have been recalled on an emergency basis, the MS of the hospital said.

Social media showed houses shaking and light fittings swaying as the quake struck, and later stunned residents gathering in the street in the dark.

The injured were rushed to hospital, while some were treated on stretchers in the street under phone torch light.

According to deputy commissioner of Harnai, Sohail Anwar Hashmi, several people have been rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

The deputy commissioner said that several buildings in Harnai have been damaged while many people have been left buried under the rubble. He said some government structures also were destructed. The power supply to the area has been suspended, he said.

According to the deputy commissioner, Levies and rescue teams have been dispatched to help and evacuate the affected people.

According to the rescue sources, more than 70 houses were reported damaged in Harnai.

The bodies of 10 people, including six children, and over 150 wounded people have been shifted to the hospital, according the MS Harnai Hospital. 

Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Lango had initially confirmed that 15 people lost their lives in the quake.

According to Balochistan Home Minister, the PDMA has sent heavy machinery and rescue teams to the affected areas from Quetta.

He said that there were reports of damage in Ziarat, Qila Saifullah and Sibi while most of the casualties were reported in Harnai.

According to Ziaullah Lango, most people are still stuck under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Lango said there are reports of damage coming Ziarat, Qila Saifullah and Sibi also. "We will not leave people without help. We will make up for the losses," he said.

An emergency was also enforced in Quetta hospitals, he said.

DG PDMA Balochistan Naseer Ahmed Nasir said said the seriously injured people have been sent to Quetta. He said it would take him time to reach Harnai as landslides occurred in some areas.