QUETTA — A moderate earthquake struck the remote town of Rakhni and its adjoining areas in Balochistan on Wednesday, sending terrified residents fleeing into the streets. The Pakistan Meteorological Department confirmed the tremor registered a magnitude of 40 on the Richter scale.
The seismic event was recorded at a depth of 37 kilometres, with its epicentre pinpointed a mere 5 kilometres southwest of Rakhni. The shallow depth intensified the shaking felt on the surface, triggering immediate panic among the local population.
Residents Flee Homes in Fear
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as the ground began to tremble. Men, women, and children rushed out of their homes and buildings, reciting verses from the Holy Quran and other prayers. The sudden jolt disrupted the morning routine in the sparsely populated region, leaving residents anxious about potential aftershocks.
Despite the widespread alarm, local authorities and emergency services have not received any immediate reports of casualties or significant damage to property. The remoteness of the affected area often means comprehensive damage assessments can take several hours.
Authorities on High Alert
Provincial disaster management officials and the local administration are actively monitoring the situation. Communication lines remain open with local representatives to swiftly gather information from far-flung villages that may have been impacted.
Pakistan sits on several active fault lines and is frequently subjected to seismic activity. The region of Balochistan has a history of devastating earthquakes, making even moderate tremors a cause for serious concern among its residents.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department continues to track seismic data and has urged the public to remain calm but vigilant. No tsunami warning has been issued for the coastal areas of Balochistan, as the quake’s epicentre was far inland.
