Shallow M5.9 earthquake hits Pakistan, killing at least 20 and injuring over 300

A shallow earthquake registered by Pakistan's National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) as M5.9 hit near Harnai, Balochistan Province at 22:01 UTC on October 6, 2021 (03:01 LT, October 7). The agency is reporting a depth of 15 km (9.3 miles). The USGS registered it as M5.9 at a depth of 9 km (5.6 miles); EMSC M5.7 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
The epicenter was located about 15 km (9 miles) NNE of Harnai (population 11 066), 58 km (36 miles) WSW of Loralai (population 37 787), and 97 km (60 miles) E of Quetta (population 733 675), Pakistan.
1 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 66 000 strong, 207 000 moderate, and 4 843 000 light, according to the USGS PAGER.
NSMC said tremors were felt in Quetta, Sibbi, Pishin, Muslim Bagh, Ziarat, Qila Abdullah, Sanjavi, Zhob, and Chaman.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), houses within 15 km (9.3 miles) had been destroyed.
Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove said damage is still being assets, adding that 5 to 6 districts have been affected on a 'major scale.'
PDMA said at least 20 people have died, including 6 children, and more than 300 injured, at least 9 critically.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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