Islamabad, Pakistan (BBN) - More than 150 people were killed injuring hundreds of others and destroying houses and government buildings when a 6.1 intensity earthquake jolted most parts of the country’s southwestern Balochistan province on Wednesday morning.
The death toll could rise as rescue workers move into more remote areas in the quake hit districts of the province. Hundreds of others had been injured in the tremor and perhaps 15,000 left homeless, according to reports.
At least 150 dead bodies had been recovered so far and the government was providing food, shelter and medical care to those who survived the devastation, officials said.
However, the national disaster management authority (NDMA) has confirmed death of 115 people in moderate earthquake that hit many parts of the province in early hours of Wednesday.
The quake hit around 70 kilometers (43.4 miles) northeast of provincial capital of Quetta and 185 kilometers (114 miles) southeast of the Afghan city of Kandahar, according to the US Geological Survey.
The jerks were felt at 0430 hours and 0510 hours which demolished and damaged scores of houses in Ziarat, Quetta, Kuchlak, Pishin, Chaman, Mastung and Loralai areas of the province, news reports said.
BBN/SI/SSF/AD-29October08-9:02 PM (BST)