DHAKA: A strong earthquake of magnitude struck Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan on Tuesday, killing up to 46 people, officials said.

Khairjan Baloch, Political Secretary to Chief Minister Balochistan and a former administrator in the worst-affected Awaran district confirmed the death of 30 people throughout the province, reports dawn.com.

Baloch said 30 people were killed in Awaran while there were reports of three other deaths in Turbat.

‘Six dead bodies have been recovered in Awaran bazar,’ said Deputy Commissioner Awaran, Abdul Rasheed Baloch, adding that four dead bodies have been recovered in far flung villages of the district.

‘I fear more people are trapped inside the collapsed houses,’ he said.

Baloch said a rescue operation was launched in the area and all forces were placed on high alert to retrieve the people from the rubble.

He said there were reports that hundreds of mud- houses in the district had also collapsed during tremors.

Balochistan chief minister Dr Malik Baloch has ordered deputy commissioners of all 30 districts to remain on high alert in the aftermath of deadly quake.

Spokesman for the government of Balochistan, Jan Buledi, told media that a rescue operation had been launched in Awaran.

According to the US Geological Survey, the intensity of the quake was measured at 7.8 on the Richter scale while the Pakistan meteorological office said the epicentre was located near Kharan area of Balochistan.

BDST: 2220 HRS, SEPT 24, 2013
GR/MZR