Pakistan: Magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurs in Balochistan Province Oct. 7 at around 03:01 PKT

Event

A magnitude-5.7 earthquake occurred in Pakistan's Balochistan Province at around 03:01 PKT Oct. 7. The epicenter was about 14 km (8 miles) north-northeast of the town of Harnai. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 20 km (12 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking was probably felt throughout Balochistan Province and parts of Afghanistan's Kandahar Province. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake and significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.