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Powerful earthquake strikes Pakistan's Balochistan Deadly earthquake strikes Pakistan's Balochistan
(35 minutes later)
A powerful earthquake of 7.8-magnitude has struck a remote area of south-west Pakistan, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) says. A powerful earthquake of 7.8-magnitude has killed six people in a remote area of south-west Pakistan, emergency officials say.
It struck at 16:29 local time (11:29 GMT) at a depth of 23km (15 miles), 145 miles south-east of Dalbandin in Balochistan province, USGS adds.It struck at 16:29 local time (11:29 GMT) at a depth of 23km (15 miles), 145 miles south-east of Dalbandin in Balochistan province, USGS adds.
It was reportedly felt in the Indian capital Delhi, where some buildings shook. It was reportedly felt as far as Karachi and Hyderabad, as well as the Indian capital of Delhi.
Balochistan is Pakistan's largest but least populated province.Balochistan is Pakistan's largest but least populated province.
The province is prone to earthquakes, with at least 35 people killed in another 7.8-magnitude earthquake that was centred in south-eastern Iran in April.The province is prone to earthquakes, with at least 35 people killed in another 7.8-magnitude earthquake that was centred in south-eastern Iran in April.
Initial media reports say some houses have collapsed in the Khuzdar and Awaran areas of Balochistan. The director for Balochistan Disaster Management, Latif Kakar, has confirmed six people dead and a dozen others wounded.
However, there have so far been no confirmed reports of casualties. Nearly all of the casualties were from Labach, on the northern outskirts of Awaran town. There are reports of some people trapped under the rubble of collapsed houses.
Officials say the Awaran area is expected to be the most affected but the loss of life and damage to property might be limited because the district is sparsely populated.
People mostly live in mud houses as opposed to multi-story concrete structures, says the BBC's Shahzeb Jillani.
The few concrete buildings in the area mostly house government offices, he adds.
Houses are also reported to have collapsed in the district of Khuzdar.
Pakistan's chief meteorologist Mohammad Riaz told reporters it was a major earthquake that could cause extensive damage.Pakistan's chief meteorologist Mohammad Riaz told reporters it was a major earthquake that could cause extensive damage.
"But it would depend on how dense the population is in the area around the epicentre," he said."But it would depend on how dense the population is in the area around the epicentre," he said.
Pakistan's meteorological office gave the magnitude of the earthquake as 7.7.Pakistan's meteorological office gave the magnitude of the earthquake as 7.7.
Light tremors were also said to have been felt in Karachi and Hyderabad, with reports of people rushing out of office buildings.Light tremors were also said to have been felt in Karachi and Hyderabad, with reports of people rushing out of office buildings.