At least 20 people have been killed after the Pakistan earthquake struck Balochistan province early on Thursday morning,
Authorities say the death toll may increase, and that many people were killed when structures collapsed.
Many of the dead were women and children, the Reuters news agency said.
The US Geological Survey said it was a 5.9 magnitude quake that struck at a shallow depth of 9km. Shallow quakes can cause more damage.
Rescue operations are still underway. Local officials told WTX News that thousands more are thought to have been injured, with several of them rushed to hospital in critical condition. The death toll is expected to rise.
Some people were treated on stretchers with medics using phones as torches, whilst the army is being drafted in to help with search and rescue.
Pakistan earthquake Most the deceased are children
Over 150 homes have collapsed and a large number of buildings were damaged, leaving hundreds of people homeless, an official told the agency.
Relief and rescue activities are underway in the affected areas with a National Emergency has been declared in all hospitals.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), most of the deceased are children.
The death toll is feared to rise. According to the seismological centre, the epicentre was located near Harnai at a depth of 15km.
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