Shudders: 5.3 magnitude tremors jolt Balochistan

QUETTA: A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck Balochistan on Friday. According to officials, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The epicentre was in the city of Khuzdar at a depth of 26 kilometres, said a meteorological official Zabih Ullah. The quake, which struck late morning, was also felt in surrounding towns and districts. Pakistan straddles part of the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the country susceptible to earthquakes. Just last year in September, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated several areas in southwestern Balochistan. It killed at least 370 people and left 100,000 homeless.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2014.