An earthquake registering 3.4 on the Richter scale shook Karachi and its surrounding areas, as confirmed by the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department on Saturday. The quake’s epicenter was pinpointed 24 kilometers northwest of the Malir area, with a recorded depth of 10 kilometers.
No immediate reports of injuries or damage emerged following the tremor. This event marked the third earthquake to impact the region within a 24-hour period.
Earlier on the same day, a stronger 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan, causing tremors felt across Islamabad, Peshawar, and various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The shaking extended to areas including Swat, Hangu, North Waziristan, and Chitral, with residents of Rawalpindi also experiencing the seismic activity.
The NSMC detailed that the 5.5-magnitude quake occurred at a depth of 199 kilometers, with its epicenter located in the Koh Hindu Kush region. Additionally, tremors were reported in the Pasni area of Gwadar, where a separate earthquake measuring 4.5 in magnitude took place at a depth of 13 kilometers.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes is largely due to its position along the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The country has endured several devastating earthquakes over recent decades. Notably, in February this year, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake rattled Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza. The catastrophic 2005 earthquake in Azad Kashmir resulted in over 73,000 fatalities and left millions displaced.
Balochistan also faced severe consequences in 2021 when a quake in Harnai caused at least 20 deaths and complicated rescue efforts due to landslides. Experts emphasize that the challenging terrain in Pakistan’s earthquake-prone zones significantly hinders relief operations, underscoring the importance of preparedness and effective response strategies.
