5.3 magnitude quake jolts Balochistan: USGS

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale tonight jolted the Balochistan province of Pakistan, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

But the local authorities said the earthquake waves had not caused any damage or injuries anywhere in the province.

The USGS said that the earthquake struck at a depth of 27 kilometres, with its epicenter located 82 kilometres Khuzdar district where strong shockwaves were felt.

However, a Pakistan Meteorological department official said the earthquake in fact measured at 5.5 magnitude with a depth of just 10 kilometres, and 70 kilometres from Khuzdar.

In the past seven years Balochistan located in the Southwestern area of Pakistan has been jolted by strong earthquakes at least five times of varying intensity.

In September 2013, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 jolted the province of Balochistan, also in the year 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale had struck Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.