A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Kohlu, Balochistan, on Friday, leaving at least three people injured, including a child. The strong tremors also caused partial damage to nearly 70 houses in the Kingri area, raising concerns among local residents.
According to local officials, the injured were hurt after walls collapsed during the earthquake. They were quickly shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Rescue teams were immediately sent to the affected area to assess the damage and help residents.
The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed that the earthquake originated at a depth of 17 kilometres. The epicentre was located about 60 kilometres northeast of Kohlu. Tremors were also felt in nearby districts, including Zhob, Barkhan, and Rakhni, causing panic among people.
Officials said this was not the only earthquake recorded in the region on Friday. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that three separate tremors hit the area in a single day. The first was recorded at 10:25am, the second at 10:58am, and the third in the evening at 4:49pm.
Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes because of its geographical location between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This makes many areas, especially Balochistan, prone to seismic activity.
The country has faced several deadly earthquakes in the past. The most devastating was the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which killed more than 73,000 people. More recently, a 5.8 magnitude quake hit Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza earlier this year.
Experts warn that the mountainous terrain in earthquake-prone regions makes rescue work difficult. They stress the importance of preparedness, quick response, and stronger infrastructure to reduce future risks.
