Pakistan Earthquake Kills at Least 30 in Baluchistan

Thirty people are believed to have been killed in a major earthquake that struck southwestern Pakistan.

The magnitude 7.7 quake hit Baluchistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province.

Abdul Qadoos, the deputy speaker of the Baluchistan parliament, said that in the region's Awaran district 30 people had been killed. At least a third of the buildings were destroyed.

The epicentre was in a remote area 50km north of Awaran city, where many people live in mud-brick homes rather than concrete buildings.

"We all ran out for safety in the open field in front of our house. Many other neighbours were also there. Thank God no one was hurt in our area but the walls of four or five houses collapsed," said resident Khair Baluch.

Rescue teams have been dispatched.

The quake was felt in other Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Quetta, Jacobabad, Khairpur, and Nowshero Feroz and also in New Delhi, the Indian capital, 1,000km away.

In Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, 250km from the tremor's epicentre, people in tall office buildings rushed out into the streets.

"I was working on my computer in the office. Suddenly I felt tremors. My table and computer started shaking. I thought I am feeling dizzy but soon realised they were tremors," said office worker Mohammad Taimur.

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed at least 35 people in Baluchistan in April.