Earthquakes in Pakistan

This item appears on page 20 of the November 2013 issue.

In Pakistan, the southwest province of Balochistan suffered two major earthquakes (measuring 7.7 and 6.8) at the end of September, leaving at least 825 people dead and many hundreds more missing. More than 30 villages were flattened in the region, and an estimated 185,000 people were affected. 

Relief aid to the remote region was hampered by the rough terrain, lack of roads and the local villagers’ distrust of the Pakistan army. There were reports of attacks on rescue operations by separatist Baloch rebels, who have been fighting with the Pakistan government for decades.