Quetta (Staff Report/Agencies): At least twenty people lost their lives and more than 300 others were injured after a strong earthquake jolted the various parts of Balochistan on wee hours of Thursday.
According to National Seismic Monitoring Centre the magnitude of the quake was measured at 5.9 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the quake was located in Harnai at the depth of 15 kilometres.
The tremor was also felt in Sibi, Pishin, Muslim Bagh, Qila Saifullah Kachlak, Harnai and surrounding areas. People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that most of the deceased were children.
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.
Deputy Commissioner of Harnai said roofs and walls of dozens of houses collapsed in Harnai and Shahrag, trapping several people under the debris. Dozens of public and private buildings were also damaged in parts of Balochistan.
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, the official added.
A medical emergency has been declared at the Civil Hospital Quetta where doctors and other paramedical staff have been recalled on an emergency basis.
