Quake-hit areas of Pakistan rocked by aftershock

The area most affected by the devastating earthquake in southwestern Pakistan was today rocked by an aftershock measuring 5 on the Richter scale.

The aftershock triggered panic and fear among residents of Awaran district, which recorded over 300 deaths after Tuesday's quake. Rescue and relief operations are still underway in Awaran to help thousands of people left homeless by the temblor.

Pakistan’s met office said the epicentre of the aftershock was in Ormara and its depth was around 10 km. The death toll of the 7.7-magnitude quake that hit Balochistan on Tuesday now stands at 357. Over 600 people were injured and tens of thousands left homeless.

Balochistan makes up about 45% of Pakistan’s total area and Awaran’s population of around 200,000 is scattered over more than 21,000 sq km.