7.7 earthquake jolts Pakistan

An earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, jolted Pakistan's Sindh and Balochistan provinces Tuesday afternoon, with Its epicentre, 120 km from Balochistan's Khuzdar town, Pakistan's Meteorological Department announced.

Tremors began at 4.29 (local time) and were felt for two minutes in the cities of Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana and parts of Balochistan province, Geo News reported.

The tremors were also felt in Delhi and the National Capital Region in India, Indian Meteorological Department said.

The quake's aftershocks were expected and damages likely to occur, said Pakistan's chief meteorologist Muhamamd Riaz. "Damages are likely as this was a major earthquake," he said.

The US Geological Survey said the quake's magnitude measured at 7.8 on the Richter scale.

There were reports of several houses and shops being damaged in Awaran district in Balochistan, and a senior district official declaring emergency at hospitals. Two bodies have been recovered from a house in the area.

In Quetta city, the administration put all districts on high alert.