At least three people were injured after two earthquakes struck several parts of Balochistan on Saturday, prompting rescue efforts and causing damage to homes in affected areas.
According to officials from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the stronger earthquake measured 5.2 in magnitude and occurred at a depth of 19 kilometres. Its epicentre was located approximately 52 kilometres northeast of Barkhan district. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at a magnitude of 5.4 and a depth of 10 kilometres.
Earlier in the morning, a second earthquake measuring 4.3 magnitude also struck the same region. The NSMC reported its depth at 42 kilometres, while the USGS estimated it at 10 kilometres.
The tremors were felt across Barkhan, Rakhni, Kohlu and Musakhail districts, causing panic among residents, many of whom rushed outdoors for safety.
According to the PDMA, two labourers were injured when the roof of a shop collapsed in Musakhail district. Another resident, identified as Fazal, sustained injuries after his house collapsed in the Kingri area northwest of Musakhail.
Emergency teams from the PDMA and local administration were dispatched to the affected areas to assess the damage and assist residents. Rescue operations were launched soon after reports of the earthquakes were received.
Local authorities said several mud houses developed cracks due to the strong tremors. As a precaution, many families left their homes and set up temporary tents in open areas, fearing possible aftershocks.
The latest seismic activity comes a day after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck nearby areas, including Zhob, Barkhan and Rakhni, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department. Earlier this week, another 5.4-magnitude earthquake was felt in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad, highlighting continued seismic activity across the region.