4.8-magnitude earthquake jolts Kalat and nearby areas

KHUZDAR: A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kalat and adjoining areas on Thursday, triggering panic among residents and prompting many people to rush out of their homes, according to officials.

Officials said the tremor hit Kalat and Zehri at 4.18pm. The shaking led residents to leave their houses and move into open spaces as a precaution.

The earthquake monitoring centre recorded the intensity of the quake at 4.8 on the Richter scale. It said the tremor originated at a depth of 11 kilometres, while the epicentre was located 50 kilometres southeast of Kalat.

The earthquake was felt in Kalat and surrounding localities, where residents reacted with alarm after the ground shook in the late afternoon. Officials said the tremor caused fear among the public, with many people abandoning their homes and gathering outside.

Despite the panic caused by the earthquake, officials said no casualties or property damage were reported from any part of Kalat or other affected regions.

Quake details

According to officials, the earthquake struck at 4.18pm and was felt in both Kalat and Zehri. Data issued by the earthquake monitoring centre placed the magnitude at 4.8 and the depth at 11 kilometres.

The monitoring centre further said the epicentre was 50 kilometres southeast of Kalat. No loss of life or structural damage was reported following the tremor, officials added.

Public reaction

Residents in the affected areas came out onto the streets after the quake was felt. Many sought safety under the open sky as the tremor spread fear in the area.

Officials maintained that while the earthquake caused panic, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from Kalat and nearby regions.