Strong earthquake hits southwestern Pakistan

A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.8 jolted the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan on Tuesday, said US Geological Survey. The Provincial Home Secretary, Asad Gillani has confirmed the death of one person but local media reported that at least fourteen people were killed in Balochistan. According to local media reports, a school building collapses in Awaran district of the province killing four people. The Director Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Latif Kakar told, "Some houses have been damaged in Awaran and Chaghai areas of Balochistan." The meteorological office of Pakistan recorded the magnitude of the earthquake as 7.7 and the epicentre of the quake was located 120 KM southwest from Khuzdar in Balochistan at a depth of 10-12 KM. The earthquake was also felt in the southern Sindh province including of Karachi, Jacobabad, Khairpur, and Nowshero Feroz cities where people ran out of buildings into the streets due to fear of the building collapse. The officials of meteorological department said that the intensity of the tremors was measured in different areas of Pakistan from 7 to 8 on the Ricther Scale and aftershocks may still be felt in different areas of the country. Aftershocks of 5.2 magnitudes were also reported in Khuzdar district of the province. The Chief Minister Balochistan declares emergency in Awaran district on reports of damage of many houses and shops. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake centred in southeast Iran, close to the border with Balochistan, killed 41 people and affected more than 12,000 on the Pakistani side of the border in April.