A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake has hit southwestern Pakistan, according to the US Geological Survey.
The earthquake struck at 4:29 pm local time (11:29 GMT) southwest of the city of Khuzdar in Balochistan province, at a depth of 15km, on Tuesday.
The USGS originally measured the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.4 and depth of 29km, but later revised that figure. Pakistan’s meteorological office said the magnitude was 7.7.
Tremors were felt across the province as well as in the port city of Karachi, residents have said. Mild tremors were also felt as far away as the Indian capital of New Delhi.
The epicentre is in a remote, thinly populated mountainous area of Balochistan with no major industrial installations.
Muhammad Riaz, a senior Pakistan meteorologist, told local media that the earthquake was “major” and that “heavy destruction” was likely.