QUETTA: A powerful earthquake with 5.9 magnitude hit Quetta and other areas of Balochistan in the wee hours of Thursday, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 200 others.

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, an earthquake of 5.9 magnitude with a depth of 10 kilometer jolted Balochistan’s Harnai district in the wee hours. Tremors of the earthquake were also felt in Killa Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Kuchlak, Pishin and Quetta. The bodies and injured, including women and children, were rushed to district headquarters hospital, Harnai.

The quake damaged many buildings while over 260 houses due to tremors in various cities, towns and villages. Panic gripped in the quake hit areas. Many people came out of their houses and took shelter under trees and other safe places. They were still avoiding to go to buildings due to possible after shocks of the quake, people told media.

Sohail Anwar Hashmi, Deputy Commissioner, Harnai told media that emergency had been declared in District Headquarters Hospital, Harnai and other healthcare institutions of the district. Director General, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that eight teams of PDMA were busy in rescue and relief operations in Harnai while two teams of PDMA are taking part in rescue and relief operations in Shahrug area of District Harnai.

Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, said on Thursday that operation for shifting patients from Ziarat to Quetta in air-ambulance had been launched.

In a statement, she said that emergency had been imposed in Ziarat in the wake of earthquake, adding that measures were being adopted on emergency basis to provide healthcare facilities to the people in all Tertiary Care Institutions, including Trauma Centre, Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta and Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta.

Buledi said that 12 Corps of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps (FC), Balochistan extended quick response in rescue and relief operations, adding that rescue activities of all institutions, including Health Department, Pak Army and FC, were being coordinated. President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of human lives in Harnai, Balochistan earthquake.

In a tweet, he condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls. Praying for the early recovery of those injured, President Arif Alvi was confident that the national and provincial disaster management authorities would provide quick relief to the affected people.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed all federal departments to fully assist Balochistan government in provision of relief to the earthquake victims. In a statement, the Prime Minister said the federal government will extend all possible assistance to Balochistan government in this difficult hour.

He also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the earthquake. He directed to provide best medical treatment to those injured. The Prime Minister has received preliminary report of the losses caused by the tremor and the current situation in the quake hit areas.

Meanwhile, in a tweet, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he has ordered an immediate assistance on an emergency basis for the earthquake victims of Harnai. The Prime Minster also called for an immediate assessment of the damage for timely relief and compensation. He condoled with the families who lost their loved ones in the quake.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said the armed forces are cooperating with the local administration in extending help to the quake victims of Balochistan. In a statement, he said Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) is fully participating in the rescue efforts. He said all resources are being utilized to carry out rescue and relief work in Harnai and adjoining areas.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain assured government’s full cooperation to the quake affected people of Balochistan. In a statement, he expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the tremor and condoled with the bereaved families. The Information Minister said the entire nation is aggrieved over the loss of lives in the quake. He said relevant departments have been directed to extend every possible assistance to the affected people.