Major 7.7 Quake Hits Pakistan

Many feared dead as homes collapse
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Sep 24, 2013 9:25 AM CDT
Major 7.7 Quake Hits Pakistan
Official at National Seismic Monitoring Center Peshawar, Pakistan, monitors an aftershock recorded at Richter Scale in this, Oct. 29, 2008 file photo.   (AP Photo/Shabbir Hussain Imam)

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck today in southwestern Pakistan, collapsing more than two dozen houses, and sending people fleeing into the streets and praying for their lives, officials said. At least two people died, according to the AP, but Pakistan's The Dawn puts the figure at 10, and Twitter reports have it as high as 30. Rescue teams have been dispatched to the villages in Awaran district where the quake struck. The quake hit in the southern part of Baluchistan province, said Pakistan's chief meteorologist.

The area of Baluchistan where the quake hit is remote with little population, but the temblor was felt as far away as New Delhi and Karachi. "I was working on my computer in the office. Suddenly I felt tremors. My table and computer started shaking. I thought I am feeling dizziness but soon realized they were tremors," said one Karachi resident. (More earthquake stories.)

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