Balochistan earthquake: PM directs federal departments to assist provincial govt in providing relief to victims

• News By : Web Desk
• 07-Oct-Thu-2021-12:57:12

ISLAMABAD: 07, OCTOBER, 2021: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday has directed all federal departments to fully assist Balochistan government in providing relief to the quake victims. 

In a statement, the premier said the federal govt will extend all possible assistance to Balochistan govt in this difficult hour and directed to provide best medical treatment to injured. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the earthquake. 

In a post on social-networking website Twitter, Prime Minister Imran Khan said "I have ordered immediate assistance on an emergency basis for the Harnai, Balochistan, earthquake victims & for an immediate assessment of the damage for timely relief & compensation." 

"My condolences & prayers go to the families who lost their loved ones," he added. 

In the early hours of Thursday, at least 20 dead and over 300 wounded when an earthquake measuring 5.9-magnitude hit parts of Balochistan, damaging a large number of houses including government buildings.

The tremor was also felt in Sibi, Pishin, Muslim Bagh, Qila Saifullah Kachlak, Harnai and surrounding areas. People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran.

According to National Seismic Monitoring Centre, Islamabad, the epicenter of the quake was located in Harnai at the depth of 15 kilometres.

Rescue workers said the dead were mostly women and children. According to Deputy Commissioner Harnai, roofs and walls of dozens of houses collapsed in Harnai and Shahrag, trapping several people under the debris and hundreds of people were rendered homeless.

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). 

The Deputy Commissioner has expressed fear that the death toll may rise further as rescue operation is underway in different parts of Harnai and Shahrag.

Meanwhile, emergency has been declared in all hospitals in Harnai. Doctors and paramedical staff have been asked to reach the hospitals.

A senior official at the Harnai hospital said "We were operating without electricity with the help of torches and mobile flashlights." "Most of the injured came with fractured limbs. Dozens of people were sent back after first aid while some 40 people who were critically injured have been sent to Quetta in ambulances," he added. 

Naseer Nasar, the head of Balochistan's Provincial Disaster Management authority, informed that "between 15 and 20 people had died, but that the toll may increase." (04)

• Share