Khuzdar: A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Balochistan’s Khuzdar district on October 17, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

The department said the earthquake occurred at 10:07 am at a depth of 25 kilometres. Its epicentre, the point on the Earth’s surface directly above where the earthquake originated, was located 48 kilometres northwest of Khuzdar.

PMD placed the epicentre at latitude 28.02 degrees north and longitude 66.20 degrees east. Its Islamabad office released the seismic details through a post on X.

The initial report did not provide an assessment of casualties or damage from Saturday’s earthquake.

Balochistan has experienced several tremors in recent months. In August, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake was felt in parts of the province, including Zhob and Chaman.

That earthquake originated at a depth of 15 kilometres, with its epicentre 122 kilometres northeast of Zhob. Residents left their homes following the tremors, although no casualties or property damage were reported.

In July, a magnitude four earthquake also shook Quetta, Ziarat, Harnai and surrounding areas. People moved into open spaces, and no casualties or damage were reported from that event.

Pakistan lies near the boundaries of the Arabian, Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, the large sections of the Earth’s outer layer whose movement can generate earthquakes. Multiple fault systems contribute to the country’s exposure to seismic activity.

The absence of reported damage from the earlier earthquakes does not establish the impact of the latest tremor in Khuzdar, for which the initial account contained seismic measurements but no damage assessment.