close

Earthquake of 2.9-magnitude jolts parts of Karachi

Depth of the earthquake recorded at 10 kilometres, says PMD's National Seismic Monitoring Centre

By Web Desk
July 31, 2026
An earthquake measuring scale reading the intensity of an earthquake in this image. — AFP/File
An earthquake measuring scale reading the intensity of an earthquake in this image. — AFP/File

A 2.9-magnitude earthquake jolted parts of Karachi on Friday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department's National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) said.

The PMD said that the earthquake struck at 6:01pm, with its epicentre located within the port city.

According to the Met Office, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage following the tremors.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in Pakistan, as the country is situated on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Large parts of South Asia are seismically active because a tectonic plate known as the Indian plate is pushing north into the Eurasian plate.

The country has experienced multiple devastating quakes in recent decades.

In February this year, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake rattled Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza, while the 2005 quake in Azad Kashmir killed over 73,000 people and left millions homeless.

Balochistan also suffered in 2021, when a quake in Harnai killed at least 20 people and hampered rescue operations due to landslides.

Experts warn that the rugged terrain of Pakistan’s earthquake-prone areas complicates relief efforts and makes preparedness critical.