MUSAKHEL: An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Balochistan and Punjab during the week hours of Sunday. The tremors resulted in multiple injuries, property damage and collapse of old buildings.
The tremors were first felt around midnight, with the epicenter located 80 kilometers from Dera Ghazi Khan at a depth of 28 kilometers. The quake shook areas including Musakhel, Barkhan, and surrounding towns, where numerous mud houses were damaged or completely collapsed.
In Musakhel’s Rara Sham area, a husband and wife were injured when the roof of their home caved in. They were immediately shifted to DG Khan Hospital for treatment. Local authorities also reported livestock buried under debris following a landslide triggered by the quake.
The region experienced aftershocks, with another earthquake recorded at 7:32 AM this morning. The epicenter of this tremor was located 50 kilometers from Dera Ghazi Khan, with a shallower depth of 21 kilometers. Kangri and its surrounding suburbs also experienced shaking, causing additional concern among residents.
Barkhan district was particularly affected, with extensive damage to mud structures reported. Emergency teams are assessing the situation.
According to the Seismological Center, the epicenter of the earthquake activity appeared to be just one kilometer away from Rara Sham in Musakhel.
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