DHAKA: Pakistan`s military on Wednesday rushed to reach the scene of a huge earthquake that killed more than 260 people and toppled thousands of mud-built homes when it hit the country`s southwest.

The 7.8-magnitude quake struck Tuesday afternoon in Balochistan province`s Awaran district while aftershocks continued to jolt the northwestern part of the country – the latest tremor measured at 4.7 on the Richter scale on Wednesday.

Officials said 264 deaths had been confirmed so far – 208 in Awaran district alone – and that the toll is expected to rise as rescue teams reach more villages in the remote area.

Provincial home secretary Asad Gilani confirmed the death toll at 264.

“A total of six districts, Awaran, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur, Chaghi and Khuzdar, and a population of over 300,000 have been affected by the earthquake,” Jan Muhammad Buledi, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said while addressing a press conference.

Source: DAWN
BDST: 1550 HRS, SEP 25, 2013
AKA/GCP