Photo: BANARAS KHAN/AFP via Getty Images
An earthquake hit the south Pakistan district of Harnai in Balochistan province early Thursday morning, causing a rising death toll.
The earthquake occurred around 3 a.m. and had a 5.9 magnitude and a depth of 9 kilometers, which is roughly 5.6 miles, according to theU.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The organization initially reported the earthquake to be a 5.7 magnitude with a depth of 20.8 kilometers, which is roughly 12.9 miles,CNNreported.
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More than 100 mud houses collapsed and several buildings were damaged, district official Sohail AnwartoldReuters.
The outlet also reported local journalist Nawab Khan shared that at least 250 homes collapsed in the Babu Mohallah neighborhood. “The entire town is a picture of devastation, as no house looks safe, thousands of people are rendered homeless and are under open sky,” Khan said.
Sohail Afridi, the district commissioner of Harnai told CNN rescue operations are “currently under control,” adding, “Since 3 a.m. the rescue operation has been underway. The injured have been taken to the hospital via helicopter.”
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Pakistan’s President and Prime Minister have extended their condolences in Twitter posts.
“I have ordered immediate assistance on an emergency basis for the Harnai, Balochistan, earthquake victims & for an immediate assessment of the damage for timely relief & compensation,” Prime Minister Imran Khanwrote. “My condolences & prayers go to the families who lost their loved ones.”
President Dr. Arif Alvisaid, “My condolences to families of those killed in the Harnai Balochistan earthquake. May their souls rest in peace. My prayers are for the injured.”
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Pakistan sits where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, thus making the country more prone to earthquakes.
source: people.com
