Pakistan

New 6.8-magnitude quake claims 12 lives in southwestern Pakistan

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A 6.8-magnitude earthquake has struck the Awaran district of southwestern Balochistan Province in Pakistan, killing at least 12 people and injuring several others.

The quake rattled the area, which had been already devastated by a tremor five days ago, with its epicenter 100 kilometers northeast of Awaran district.

Over 500 people lost their lives in the first quake on Tuesday. The toll is expected to rise further as rescue teams continue digging through the rubbles of countless flattened mud-brick homes.

The district and its adjacent areas are faced with shortage of food, drinking water and medical supplies.

Tens of thousands of survivors are angry at the slow pace of government aid, as temperatures reach 42 degrees Celsius. More than 100,000 people are spending nights in the open or in makeshift shelters.

The Pakistani army has started rescue operations and dispatched a team of 200 soldiers to the region.

Iran has expressed its condolences with the government and nation of Pakistan and says Tehran’s ready to help the affected people.

Pakistan’s Balochistan is prone to earthquakes. A similar quake killed 41 people there in April.

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