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M5.7 Earthquake Hits Khuzdar, Pakistan; Tremors Felt as Far as Sindh

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 17, 2026•2 min read

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan, on Saturday morning (17/10/2026). The USGS issued a yellow alert; tremors were felt as far as Sindh, with no casualties reported.

Key Facts

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a magnitude 5.7 earthquake striking near Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan, on Saturday (17/10/2026) at 05:06 UTC (about 12:06 p.m. Western Indonesia Time).
The epicenter was located about 48 kilometers west-northwest of Khuzdar city at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Seismological agencies reported varying readings: Germany's GFZ measured M5.6 at 10 km depth; India's National Center for Seismology (NCS) put it at M5.8 with 15 km depth; while Pakistan's Meteorological Department (PMD) reported M5.9 at 10:07 a.m. local time with a depth of 25 km.
The USGS issued a yellow alert for the quake, meaning casualties or building damage remain possible. Maximum shaking intensity was estimated to reach VII on the Modified Mercalli scale.
Strong tremors were felt by residents in Khuzdar and surrounding areas. In Basima tehsil, Washuk district, frightened residents rushed out of homes and shops into open spaces, reciting the Kalima. Tremors were also reported in parts of Sindh province.
Local authorities and Pakistan's disaster management agencies began ground assessments. Rescue teams, hospitals and police in Khuzdar district were put on standby. As of writing, no official confirmation of casualties or major damage has been issued.
Pakistan lies on the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it earthquake-prone. In February 2026, a similar M5.6 quake also struck Balochistan.

Residents Rush Into Open Spaces

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near Khuzdar, Balochistan Province, Pakistan, on Saturday (17/10/2026) morning. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at 05:06 UTC (about 12:06 p.m. Western Indonesia Time), with its epicenter about 48 kilometers west-northwest of Khuzdar city at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

Strong shaking was felt by residents in Khuzdar district and surrounding areas. According to local reports, residents in Basima tehsil, Washuk district, rushed out of their homes and shops into open spaces in fear, reciting the Kalima. Tremors were also reported in parts of Sindh province.

Local authorities and Pakistan's disaster management agencies immediately began ground assessments. Rescue teams, hospitals and police in Khuzdar district were put on standby. As of this writing, there is no official confirmation of casualties or major damage.

Different Readings, One Conclusion: A Shallow Quake

Several seismological agencies reported different readings for the quake, which is common in the first hours. Germany's GFZ measured M5.6 at 10 km depth, India's National Center for Seismology (NCS) recorded M5.8 at 15 km depth, while Pakistan's Meteorological Department (PMD) reported M5.9 at 10:07 a.m. local time with a depth of 25 km.

The USGS issued a yellow alert for the event, meaning casualties or building damage remain possible. Maximum shaking intensity was estimated to reach VII on the Modified Mercalli scale.

Pakistan indeed lies in an earthquake-prone zone where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide. Back in February 2026, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake also struck Balochistan, not far from today's location.