By NNN-Xinhua,
Islamabad : At least ten houses were damaged following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit southwestern Pakistan early Wednesday morning. However, no loss of life has been reported so far.
Local sources said that several houses were damaged in the earthquake in Quetta, capital city of Balochistan province. But details about the damage are not immediately available.
Sources in Karachi also said that a three-storey building collapsed in the city during the earthquake.
The U.S. Geological Survey said that a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck southwestern Pakistan.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological department, earthquake of severe 7.3 magnitude were felt in various parts of country after midnight.
Local media quoted meteorological officials as saying that the epicenter was located in the Kharan area of Balochistan province. Meteorological officials warned that there might be aftershocks following the earthquake.
The earthquake that took place at about 1:20 a.m. (local time) jolted most major cities in the southwestern and southern parts of the country, including Quetta, Karachi and Multan. Strong tremors were also felt in the country’s eastern city of Lahore.
Pakistan’s Chief Meteorologist Muhammed Riaz told media that the tremor continued its shake for over one second, however, its span could vary from area to area depending on their proximity to epicenter.
He urged the panicked people who rushed out of their houses in Sindh areas including Karachi on feeling intense shakes, to go back to their houses.