QUETTA: A moderate earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Karachi and Balochistan late Monday night, triggering widespread panic among residents. The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) National Seismic Monitoring Centre reported that the quake’s epicenter was located in Sonmiani, Balochistan, at a depth of approximately 12 kilometers, around 87 kilometers from Karachi.
The tremors were notably felt in Balochistan’s key areas such as Hub, Vinder, and Gadani. Earlier in the day, Balochistan experienced a smaller quake measuring 3.2 magnitude in Sibi, with the epicenter situated 53 km from the city. No injuries or damages were reported from that event.
Balochistan has seen several seismic activities in recent months. On December 3, mild tremors shook Khuzdar and Sibi districts. Khuzdar experienced a 3.3-magnitude quake at 15 km depth, with the epicenter located 80 km southwest of the district. Sibi was rattled by a 4.0-magnitude tremor at a depth of 10 km, roughly 50 km southwest of the city.
Earlier, on November 26, a 3.1-magnitude quake struck Sibi, with the source approximately 60 km northeast of the district. These tremors caused no significant damage or casualties but served as a reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability.
In early November, parts of Balochistan, including Ziarat, experienced minor tremors. On November 8, the PMD reported a 5.0-magnitude quake in Ziarat, with the epicenter 67 km northeast of Quetta. The region is still haunted by memories of the devastating 2008 quake that hit Ziarat, resulting in over 200 fatalities and leaving hundreds injured. Entire villages were destroyed, and thousands of residents displaced.
The 2008 disaster remains one of the deadliest in the country’s history, with Ziarat bearing the brunt—around 170 deaths, mostly women and children. Other districts like Pishin, Bolan, Chaman, and Quetta also suffered casualties and destruction during that time.
Historically, Pakistan has been prone to major earthquakes. The 2005 northern quake claimed approximately 73,000 lives, while the 1935 Quetta earthquake resulted in an estimated 30,000 fatalities. Balochistan’s position along a seismic hotspot—where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide—continues to pose a significant risk.
As the largest and most sparsely populated province, Balochistan’s rugged terrain complicates rescue and relief efforts. The ongoing seismic activity underscores the need for enhanced preparedness and infrastructure to mitigate future disasters.
