Rawalpindi, Pakistan: Security Forces troops reached earthquake-hit areas of Harnai for rescue and relief efforts. Necessary food / Shelter items moved for the earthquake-affected population.
Army Doctors & paramedics along with necessary medicines are assisting civil administration for necessary medical care.
Reports coming from Quetta indicate that at least 30 people lost their lives while over 250 got injuries when an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck Harnai area.
The earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 struck in the early hours of Thursday while people were sleeping. Rescue workers said the dead were mostly women and children.
The quake was relatively shallow at 20 kms (12 miles) with an epicentre 102 km (62 miles) east of Quetta, said the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
More than 100 mud houses collapsed and a large number were damaged, including government buildings. Hundreds of people were rendered homeless, Sohail Anwar, deputy commissioner in the city of Harnai, told Reuters.
Several critically injured air evacuated to Quetta through Pakistan army aviation Helicopters. IGFC Balochistan (North)has reached Harnai for damage assessment and response. Urban search and rescue team being flown from Rawalpindi to speed up and assist in rescue activities.
