PESHAWAR: According to initial reports, at least 20 people were killed and more than 300 injured as 5.9 magnitude earthquake shakes parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Sibi, Harnai, Ziarat and Pishin districts.
The epicenter was reported at Harnai, about 180 km from Quetta. The district administrations has declared an emergency and started relief activities in the affected areas.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while offering condolences to the victims of the earthquake, said in his tweet that “I have issued orders for immediate assistance and compensation to the victims of the Harnai, Balochistan earthquake.”
Deputy Commissioner Harnai, Sohail Anwar Hashmi, said that the earthquake has reportedly destroyed dozens of houses in Harnai and its suburbs. He added many government buildings were also damaged. Hashmi said that Levies teams have started immediate relief activities and several injured have been rescued and rushed to hospitals from Gharibabad neighborhood of Harnai. The DC said that the electricity supply suspended immediately after earthquake hit area, which hampered relief efforts.
Station House Officer Harnai Police Ghulam Akbar told the media that the quake has severely affected Harnai Town and surrounding areas. The collapse of houses also closed roads in many areas, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the victims on time. He said that Gharibabad, Mirza Kali, Jalalabad, Kali Shor, Gowda Ghoja and other nearby villages were most affected.
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Langau was contacted by the Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and informed him that medical teams, helicopters, non-food items and medicines would be sent to the quake victims of Harnai as soon as possible.
According to District Health Officer Rashid Nasir, the hospital has run out of space, staff and medicines for the injured, so many critically injured were rushed to Quetta by ambulance. He said that two of the injured died on the way to Quetta.
Levies officials said that Levies’ quick response team has been dispatched from Quetta to Harnai. According to DHO Dr Abdul Rashid Nasir, all the doctors and paramedics of the health department have been directed to reach the District Headquarters Hospital Harnai immediately.
The hospital is short of doctors and medicines, he said.