Khuzdar Earthquake Kills One as 5.9-Magnitude Tremor Jolts Balochistan
A 5.9-magnitude earthquake jolted Khuzdar and surrounding areas of Balochistan on Saturday morning, killing one man and damaging several mud houses, Dawn reported. The tremors struck at 10:07am, sending panicked residents rushing into open areas.
The victim, Abdul Rahim, son of Qamaruddin and a resident of Wadh, was killed on the spot when a large rock fell from a nearby mountain in Anari, in the Besar area of Naal, officials said.
Khuzdar earthquake measured 5.9 by the PMD
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre in Islamabad, the earthquake’s epicentre was located 48 kilometres northwest of Khuzdar at a depth of 25 kilometres.
The quake was strong enough to rattle buildings across the district. Officials said several mud houses suffered damage, though a full assessment of the destruction was still under way when the reports were filed.
Residents described a sudden, sharp jolt that lasted several seconds. Many left their homes and waited in open ground as fears of aftershocks spread through the town. Shops pulled down their shutters and traffic briefly came to a standstill on the main roads.
First confirmed death in the Khuzdar earthquake
The death in Naal is the first confirmed fatality from the tremor. Earlier reports on Saturday, including the Tribune’s account of the same earthquake, had recorded no casualties and no major damage.
That picture changed with Dawn’s October 18 print edition, which carried the official confirmation of Abdul Rahim’s death along with the precise location of the rockfall. The updated account also confirmed damage to mud houses across the affected belt.
The district administration has been asked to compile a complete damage report. No injuries had been officially confirmed at the time of reporting, and officials said relief teams would be dispatched to Naal and adjoining areas once the survey is complete.
Balochistan’s quake-prone belt
Balochistan sits on active fault lines and has a long history of destructive earthquakes. Khuzdar district, in central Balochistan, has felt repeated tremors over the years, and its rural housing stock remains highly vulnerable.
Mud houses, common across the district’s villages, are especially at risk from even moderate shaking. A 5.9-magnitude quake at a shallow depth of 25 kilometres carries enough force to crack or topple such structures, which is why the damage survey will focus on the older settlements first.
Seismic activity is not limited to Balochistan. Tremors were felt in Islamabad earlier this month, a reminder that earthquake preparedness remains a national concern.
What happens next
The PMD continues to monitor the region for aftershocks. Local officials have advised residents to stay clear of damaged buildings until they are inspected by the authorities.
FAQs
How strong was the Khuzdar earthquake?
The quake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was 48 kilometres northwest of Khuzdar at a depth of 25 kilometres, according to the PMD’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre in Islamabad.
Who died in the Khuzdar earthquake?
Abdul Rahim, son of Qamaruddin, a resident of Wadh, was killed on the spot when a rock fell from a mountain in Anari, in the Besar area of Naal.
When did the tremors strike?
The tremors were felt at 10:07am on Saturday, October 17, sending residents into open areas amid panic.
Were casualties reported earlier?
No. Earlier reports on the tremor recorded no casualties. The first death was confirmed in official accounts carried in Dawn’s October 18 edition, along with reports of damaged mud houses.
