ISLAMABAD: More than 80 houses collapsed and around 200 families were rendered homeless after an earthquake struck southwest Pakistan late Friday, local media reported.
The 5.2-magnitude quake hit Aurnaji area in Khuzdar district of Pakistan’s Balochistan province at 11:55am, according to the meteorological office. Its epicenter was located close by.
Tremors, felt for around 30 seconds, forced people to rush out of their homes to safety, the Dawn news website reported, citing local officials. After the earthquake, the area kept receiving aftershocks at brief intervals.
“A vast area of Aurnaji was affected by the earthquake that demolished over 80 houses while big cracks appeared in 260 other houses,” the report quoted Khuzdar deputy commissioner Ilyas Kibzai as saying.
Most of the destroyed houses were made of mud, according to the official. The quake affected Nali, Zamri, Barang and Nachkan Sonaro Lathi villages in Wadh tehsil as well.
“Fortunately, no human loss was reported as most people were busy in their routine work outside their homes, while those who were inside left their houses as soon as the jolts began,” DC Kibzai said.
He said that over 200 families were rendered homeless after their houses were destroyed. Soon after receiving information about the earthquake, he said, relief goods, including tents, sheets, edibles and drinking water, were dispatched for the earthquake-affectees.
The official, however, said that rescue and relief teams were facing difficulties in reaching the affected villages as they were located in hilly areas.
Tens of houses collapse, hundreds displaced as earthquake hits southwest Pakistan
https://arab.news/ma8zq
Tens of houses collapse, hundreds displaced as earthquake hits southwest Pakistan
- 5.2-magnitude quake hit Aurnaji area in Khuzdar district of Balochistan late Friday
- Fortunately, no loss of life has so far been reported in the wake of the earthquake
Saudi Arabia condemns deadly mosque bombing in Pakistan’s capital
- The Kingdom rejects targeting of places of worship, expresses solidarity with Pakistan
- Saudi foreign ministry offers condolences to victims’ families, wishes injured recovery
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned the suicide bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad, expressing solidarity with Pakistan after the attack killed and injured dozens on the outskirts of the capital.
The blast, which struck during Friday prayers, killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 160 others, according to Pakistani authorities.
In a statement issued by its foreign ministry, Saudi Arabia denounced the targeting of a place of worship and rejected all forms of violence and extremism.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamabad,” the statement said.
It added that the Kingdom stood firmly against attacks on civilians and places of worship and reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in confronting militant violence.
The ministry also extended condolences to the families of those killed and expressed sympathy with the Pakistani government and people, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.
No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which Pakistani officials say is being investigated.
