ISLAMABAD: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday sent a cable of condolences to President Dr. Arif Alvi after an earthquake in Pakistan’s southwest killed at least 23 people and injured hundreds on Thursday. 

The epicenter of the 5.9 magnitude quake was about 15 kilometers (9 miles) north-northeast of Harnai district in the southwestern Balochistan province, according to the US Geological Survey. The initial measurement of the quake’s strength was 5.7 magnitude. It struck about 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) below the Earth’s surface; shallower quakes tend to cause more damage.

“In his cable, HRH [His Royal Highness] the Crown Prince expressed condolences to the President and families of the deceased, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured,” reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The UAE embassy in Islamabad also expressed its solidarity with the Pakistan government and families of the quake victims earlier in the day.

“UAE Embassy expresses solidarity with Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the victims of earthquake in Balochistan, presents sincere condolences & sympathy to the Government of Pakistan and families of the victims in this great loss, and wishes speedy recovery to all the injured,” the embassy tweeted.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan shared his condolences with families who lost their loved ones in the powerful earthquake.

“I have ordered immediate assistance on an emergency basis for the Harnai, Balochistan, earthquake victims & for an immediate assessment of the damage for timely relief & compensation,” he said in a Twitter post. “My condolences & prayers go to the families who lost their loved ones.”

Aftershocks were being felt across the region on Thursday. Pakistan sits on top of colliding tectonic plates and earthquakes are common.

A quake of 7.7 magnitude that hit Quetta in 1935 killed up to 60,000 and destroyed much of the city.

In 2005, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 killed about 73,000 people when it struck about 95 km (59 miles) northeast of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.