Pakistan: Officials confirm at least 15 fatalities following magnitude-5.7 earthquake in Balochistan Province Oct. 7 /update 1

Event

Authorities have confirmed at least 15 fatalities following a magnitude-5.7 earthquake in Balochistan Province, with the death toll likely to increase as rescue efforts progress. Most died when buildings collapsed. Harnai City was the most affected, where poor infrastructure, power outages, and poor mobile coverage are hampering rescue efforts.

The earthquake occurred 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. 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. 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.