A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 struck northwestern Pakistan on Monday, causing the death of one person and damaging multiple homes, authorities said. The European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometers (21.75 miles).
Regional information minister Ghulam Abbas said that several mud-brick houses in Gilgit-Baltistan, a northern province of Pakistan, either collapsed or sustained serious damage. The mountainous terrain of the area contributed to additional hazards, as large rocks dislodged by the quake blocked access roads and a major highway. Government agencies dispatched heavy machinery to clear the affected routes, ensuring that emergency services could reach isolated communities.
The single confirmed fatality occurred when a rock dislodged by the earthquake struck a man on a road, Abbas added. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, and local authorities have urged residents to remain cautious due to the risk of aftershocks and further rockfalls.
Gilgit-Baltistan is prone to seismic activity due to its location along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Past earthquakes in the region have caused widespread property damage and casualties, particularly in remote areas where construction often relies on traditional mud-brick methods.
Officials have advised people living in vulnerable structures to seek safer locations while authorities assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts. Roads connecting remote villages remain partially blocked, complicating rescue operations in some areas.
The earthquake underscores the continuing vulnerability of northern Pakistan to natural disasters, particularly in high-altitude regions where infrastructure is limited. Authorities are monitoring the situation and have asked the public to report any further damage or injuries to local emergency services.
