Magnitude 5.8 Earthquake Strikes Pakistan Near Khuzdar, No Immediate Damage Reported

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Saturday, October 17, with the tremor recorded near Khuzdar. Initial reports indicated no loss of life or property, although seismic agencies reported different magnitudes and depths for the earthquake.

India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS) recorded the earthquake at 10:37 am IST at a shallow depth of 15 kilometres. According to its data, the tremor occurred at latitude 27.944° north and longitude 66.532° east.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake at magnitude 5.7, placing its epicenter around 48 kilometres west-northwest of Khuzdar at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) reported a magnitude of 5.9. According to the agency, the earthquake occurred at 10:07 am Pakistan Standard Time, at a depth of 25 kilometres, with its epicentre 48 kilometres northwest of Khuzdar. The reported differences reflect the measurements published by the respective agencies.

The earthquake struck a region that has experienced seismic activity in recent months. In August, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake jolted parts of Balochistan, including Zhob and Chaman. The tremors prompted residents to leave their homes, but no casualties or property damage were reported.

In July, a magnitude 4 earthquake affected Quetta, Ziarat, Harnai and surrounding areas. Residents reportedly moved to open spaces following the tremors, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Pakistan is vulnerable to earthquakes because it lies at the intersection of the Indian, Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Their movement and the presence of active fault lines contribute to frequent seismic activity across the country.

Balochistan is among the regions exposed to these hazards, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan also face seismic risks. Parts of Punjab and Sindh remain vulnerable to earthquakes as well.

Although Saturday’s earthquake prompted attention because of its magnitude and shallow depth, the initial assessments did not indicate casualties or property damage.