A magnitude 5.9 earthquake jolted Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Saturday morning, October 17, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) placing the epicentre near Khuzdar district. According to the PMD, the earthquake occurred at 10:07 am Pakistan Standard Time at a depth of 25 kilometres, around 48 kilometres northwest of Khuzdar.
The tremor was reported across nearby areas, and local accounts said people left homes and shops as shaking was felt. Initial reports said no loss of life or property damage had been reported, although assessments can take time and the situation may change as local administrations check the affected areas. The PMD’s seismic bulletin is the primary source for the magnitude and coordinates cited in this report.
What officials reported
The PMD’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre listed the event at latitude 28.02 degrees north and longitude 66.20 degrees east. Seismic agencies sometimes publish different preliminary magnitudes because they use different instruments, networks and calculation methods. Readers may therefore see slightly different numbers in early reports. For this event, the PMD reported magnitude 5.9, while some international reporting cited lower preliminary estimates from other agencies.
Khuzdar and surrounding parts of Balochistan experience seismic activity because Pakistan sits near the meeting zone of major tectonic plates. The interaction between the Arabian, Eurasian and Indian plates contributes to earthquake risk across different parts of the country. A region’s seismic history is an important reason for preparedness, but it does not allow scientists to predict the exact date or magnitude of a future tremor.
Safety steps after an earthquake
Residents who felt the shaking should remain alert for aftershocks and follow instructions from local authorities. If shaking starts again, the common safety advice is to drop to the ground, take cover beneath sturdy furniture and hold on until the movement stops. Stay away from windows, glass and heavy objects that could fall. If outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines.
After the tremor, people should look for cracks, unstable walls, damaged roofs and broken utility lines, but should not enter buildings that may be unsafe. If gas is suspected, avoid flames and electrical switches, leave the area and contact the relevant emergency service. A household emergency kit with water, a torch, a first-aid kit, medicines and a charged phone can make the first hours easier to manage.
Where to get reliable information
Authorities urged the public to trust official information. Updates from the PMD, the local district administration and disaster-management services are more dependable than unverified forward messages. As the initial report did not include a complete damage survey, readers should treat early casualty and damage figures as provisional until local officials issue a fuller assessment.
Even when a first assessment reports no damage, residents should not assume every structure is safe. Small cracks, falling masonry and damaged utility connections can create risks after shaking has ended. Community members can help by checking on neighbours who may need assistance, keeping access routes clear for emergency vehicles and sharing only verified notices from district authorities. A calm response helps reduce avoidable injuries and prevents inaccurate claims from spreading during an already stressful event.
Sources: Pakistan Meteorological Department · Dawn
