World

Developing: Major 7.2 Earthquake Rocks SW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked a remote area of southwestern Pakistan early Wednesday, shaking many parts of the country and causing tremors as far away as India and the United Arab Emirates.

The quake was centered in Baluchistan province, the country’s most sparsely populated area, said the United States Geological Service, occurring at 1:30 a.m. local time at a depth of some 50 miles (84 kilometers.

Its epicenter was in a remote area some 200 miles (320 kilometers) southwest of the Baluchistan capital of Quetta, said chief Pakistani meteorologist Arif Mahmood, not far from the Afghan border.

The closest town to the epicenter was Dalbandin, with a population around 15,000 people, and is so remote that the nearby Chagai hills were the site of Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests.

There was no word on damage in Dalbandin. But another town close to the epicenter, Karan, suffered no major damage, said Fateh Bangar, Karan’s deputy commissioner. The town was some 45 miles (70 kilometers) from the epicenter, he said.

Nasir Baluch, a police officer in Karan, said several mud houses collapsed or were damaged in an area outside the town called Mashkil. There was no immediate word on casualties, but the area is sparsely populated, he said.

There was no major damage in Quetta either, but the quake caused widespread panic in the city, said residents.

Local TV reports said the quake was felt throughout several other provinces as well. Many residents in the country’s largest city, Karachi, ran out into the streets once the quake started, said the reports.

Karachi resident Mohammad Zubair said he was watching a cricket match on TV when his bed began to shake.

“I jumped out of bed realizing it was an earthquake,” said the 28-year-old. “My mom started reciting verses from the Quran, and we rushed outside.”

Tremors lasting at least 20 seconds were also felt as far away as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and in India’s capital, New Delhi.

Earthquakes often rattle the region. A magnitude 7.6 quake on Oct. 8, 2005, killed about 80,000 people in northwestern Pakistan and Kashmir and left more than 3 million homeless.

—

Associated Press writer Ashraf Khan contributed to this report from Karachi.

This is breaking story. Updates will be added.

Comments (100)

1 2 3
  • B4B
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:05pm

    Where are the Leftools blaming mean GWB and his “earthquake machine” that he evidently used to crush his “enemies” under a pall of tsunamis and landslides?
    You mean Obama is now in charge of the “earthquake machine”?
    Man, I don’t know why he hates them Pakistanis so much.

    Report Post »  
    • middleclassprophet
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:43pm

      I think the “left tools” are more concerned with the people affected by this earthquake, not assessing blame to individuals who obviously had nothing to do with it…like the “right tools” are doing on this site.

      Report Post » middleclassprophet  
  • mrzmac
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:59pm

    Birthing pains…

    Report Post »  
  • M-O-O-N Spells Moon
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:56pm

    I hope that as we help them rebuild (again) we do a better job of explaining to the average citizen that we are there helping them when they need it. Otherwise, Al Qaeda gets more promotional material for recruiting by claiming that the presence of the Americans is an illegal invasion of infidels. The average person on the ground in Afganistan and Pakistan has no idea why the Americans are there, or so I understand.

    Report Post » M-O-O-N Spells Moon  
  • Extinguisher
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:54pm

    Sarah Palin must be thrilled! This gives her another chance to talk about herself!

    Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:47pm

    82dAirborne,

    The trouble is if you’ve been to these 3rd World countries you know that the aid never ever gets in the hands of the right people.

    They don’t care about their own people. Otherwise they’d stop their world aggression to kill the infidel wherever they go.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 6:51pm

      Yes I have been to several of them during my military service. I know the problems involved. Haiti is an example of what I was talking about: The 82d Airborne Division oversaw much of the distribution of supplies. (ya I’m kinda biased!!) I’d be willing to wager that the supplies went directly into the hands of folks that they were intended for.

      I was suggesting that we “escort” the goods in Pakistan.

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
  • Bernard
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:43pm

    Being so close to the fastest growing mountains, Pakistan is earthquake prone. The only problem with nations like Pakistan and other developing nations the luxury of safety are sacrificed for profit. Unlike the US where most of our sky scrapers are equipped to handle mid level earth quakes, Pakistan’s building procedure seem to invite devastation.
    Once we know how many were effected more US taxpayers dollars will go to a nation that barely be counted as one of our “allies” and more corrupt pockets to line the Pakistani leaders. This earth quake like other natural disasters that take place where a corrupt government is in place the ones who most need help will be the last on the line, yet the US will give if for no other reason than maintaining leadership.

    Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:33pm

    We are coming out of a 10,000 year uncommon passive period in earth history.
    What we are seeing is the start of a more typical earth behavior pattern.
    Stay tuned it is going to get worse.

    Report Post »  
  • 82dAirborne
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:33pm

    Sending aid there is a very tricky subject, lots to consider. First and foremost there are millions of truly innocent people who will be suffering, many of which will die, that need help. The Pakistani government is incapable/unwilling to deal with a situation like this.

    If the West does not help the Taliban & Al Qaida will. Hearts and minds: If you can’t win those it is almost impossible to win a war without devastating whole countries. (i.e. WWII Japan)

    I think our biggest mistake in foreign aid is not keeping control of it. Stop just handing it over to governments. Make absolutely sure the food and medicine actually makes it to the victims, not some black market that would enrich our enemies.

    You could also argue that we as a nation cannot be all things to all people all of the time. But does anyone really believe that France would do what will be required? Will China become selfless? China has more cash and they are closer after all. I think it’s a very safe bet that ain’t gonna happen!

    I don’t pretend to know the answer.

    Report Post » 82dAirborne  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:54pm

      I have no one size fits all answer than this:

      Do the best we can, with what we can, and work towards helping where and when we are able to.

      Leave the rest in the hands of the Almighty.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • 82dAirborne
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 6:37pm

      @ snowleopard3200
      Hi Snow! Haven’t heard much from you lately. I know you are right. Part of me would like it if we were more isolationist as a country. Take better care of our own and concentrate on the USA. On the other hand – you see the pictures of innocents suffering. That pains me no matter how tough I try to be.

      Yes I know “Life’s a b#@$%# and then it gets tougher and then you die.

      Report Post » 82dAirborne  
  • Bob
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:25pm

    Take that Tawlibahn

    Report Post » Bob  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:22pm

    Stop earthquakes! Pass cap and tax!

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • Gr8ful1jim
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:21pm

    I pray for those that are innocent. Good enough for the ones that aren’t.

    Report Post » Gr8ful1jim  
  • Speak without Fear
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:21pm

    Uh OH……this could mean a goats are in high demand over there.

    Report Post »  
  • Gabby Johnson
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:17pm

    Definitely G.W. Bush’s fault. No question.

    Report Post » Gabby Johnson  
  • Miser
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:15pm

    They want us out of their country. But watch how fast their hands go out to the U.S. Government for aid. And I’m sure POTUS will send our money over.

    Report Post »  
  • TexasPatriot2
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:09pm

    Yeah, It was Palin for sure

    Report Post » TexasPatriot2  
  • Cantbelievemyeyes
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:08pm

    Is Obama going to ask us to dig deep into our pockets and make donations to the baby killing people of Pakistan?

    Report Post » Cantbelievemyeyes  
  • sing it out
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:07pm

    This is sad. I hope the damage is not as extensive as the ‘05 earthquake. Has the region even recovered from the extensive flooding last year?

    Report Post » sing it out  
  • JohnQTaxpayer
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:06pm

    If I were the earth under Pakistan, I would try to get rid of those freaks too

    I heard it did fifty cents in damage

    Report Post » JohnQTaxpayer  
    • wash1776
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:27pm

      Boy! Did I ever laugh over than one. Very funny.

      Report Post »  
    • KenInIL
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:33pm

      Good Damage estimate.

      How soon will the 56 other Muslim states send more than “prayer” to rebuild? — that is other than the mosques.

      Report Post »  
  • jason6117
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:04pm

    How long before we are giving more money that we dont have?

    Report Post »  
  • FaithfulFriend
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:02pm

    A lot of horrible things going on in the S.W. lately. Time for more Indian blessings for the feminine earth and masculine sky.

    Report Post » FaithfulFriend  
    • ltb
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:14pm

      Different SW and different kind of Indians.

      Report Post » ltb  
    • NoRoomForSocialismHere
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 12:40am

      @FaithfulFriend Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:02pm
      Jesus the living God is not impressed with pagans

      Report Post »  
  • scguitar
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:02pm

    Yup, won’t be long now

    Report Post »  
  • SICKANTIRED
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:00pm

    gettin near that time..

    Report Post » SICKANTIRED  
    • im4truth
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:28pm

      Sure seems that way.
      Russia and Iran are forming a strong bond, while at the same time Russia is backing Palistian Statehood. Israel is being pressured by the UN to give up land for peace, while being isolated from the rest of the world. Why? O-I-L-and i DON’T MEAN OLIVE.

      It’s a sad truth, but people don‘t understand that Israel is truly the center of the world and God’s attention.
      Those that are against her, are calling down the wrath of God upon themselves.
      One can only pray from this point on.

      Report Post »  
  • Cobra Blue
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 3:58pm

    Just gearing up for the end times.

    Report Post »  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:01pm

      I don’t doubt it. God is probably looking down at all that’s going on and is ready to push the reset button.

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • NE Cowboy
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:48pm

      Oh no………Palin did it!! Or was it Rush, or……….

      Report Post »  
    • NoRoomForSocialismHere
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 12:35am

      That will be good, I am tired fo fighting, I am ready for the Living God to take over

      Report Post »  
    • GONESURFING
      Posted on January 19, 2011 at 1:08am

      Amen brother, although many won’t understand. Through much tribulation do we enter into the Kingdom of God.

      Report Post » GONESURFING  
  • Firefight
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 3:57pm

    “Gruesome Trend: Out-of-Wedlock Infants Burned, Stoned and Abandoned in Pakistan” maybe that has something top do with it…

    Report Post » Firefight  
    • kids-so-frantic
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:09pm

      “Vengeance is mine” saith the Lord.

      Report Post » BlazingPatriot  
    • missionarydad
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:29pm

      Lol! the same thought came across my mind. Hope only the guilty and terrorists were killed but I know that is wishful thinking I am sure there will be many casualties which is very tragic.

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:36pm

      “God’s wake up call to the world” one earthquake and storm at a time; I remember hearing that there has been record rains and flooding along in most of Pakistan as well during 2010.

      How many people will waken up and make the connection?

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • knotaclu
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:52pm

      I do believe you people are onto something here….A day of reckoning is close…..God Bless those in the middle of this….

      Report Post »  
  • J.C. McGlynn
    Posted on January 18, 2011 at 3:56pm

    Another disaster caused by global climate change someone will charge.

    Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:01pm

      According to Al “Bloated” Gore….its all the cows over here…must be all the camels over there. Hey Al…put a sock in it.

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:01pm

      Palin did it

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:02pm

      With all the recent phenomena and events, it seems to be the starting of the end times.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • avenger
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:06pm

      I think allah is pissed that these people are still clueless after 1400 years. http://thereligionofpeace.com

      Report Post »  
    • Gerrymanderer
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:11pm

      Hopefully Bin Laden was crushed by this earthquake. Because it seems thats all we can hope for in such a tragedy. Iraq, Afghanistan and Billions upon Billions of TAXpayers dollars later and still no Bin Laden. Iraq is still f’d up. So much wasted money spent on such BS projects like roads that allow terrorists to transport weapons to one another. Wrong war, wrong causes, wrong way to spend ‘We the Peoples’ monies.

      Report Post » Gerrymanderer  
    • shorthanded12
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:18pm

      This just means within the next 2 or 3 days Hillery will be on the stage demanding congress to apropriate billions of unfunded tax payers money to goto the government of Pakistan, which inturn the crooked Pakistanie government will pay off the warlords and the taliban to leave them alone. FUNDED BY YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD U.S. taxpayers.

      Report Post »  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:19pm

      Ok, I believe the end is near – we have massive floods, earthquakes and all types of natural disasters – wars and rumors of wars, its all right in the Bible! http://wp.me/pYLB7-wA

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • wash1776
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:24pm

      TO COBRA BLUE:
      Pretty funny Cobra. But, if hot air was the cause of global warming or earthquakes, the temperature would remain over 100 and there would be an earthquake here every day with all of the hot air the lying politicians let loose with on a daily basis.

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:26pm

      God I hope and pray no one other than the terrorists has been hurt, for the terrorists take as many of them unto judgment as you wish to.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • River0
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:28pm

      If I were a Pakistani Muslim I’d seriously have to believe that Allah was punishing me for my sins. By the standards they’ve set for themselves – rights of vengeance for blasphemers, direct interpretation of the Koran, merciless execution of Draconian laws, etc. – they’re clearly being punished by Divine authority. There was a massive earthquake a few years ago that killed hundreds of thousands, then huge floods that wiped out whole towns and hundreds of thousands more last year, and now this. Coupled with the massive amount of violence they afflict on each other, It’s almost nonstop.

      Report Post » River0  
    • expatinontariocanada
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:29pm

      That empty though stuffed suit, Gore, is coming up here to speak to 6,000 skulls full of mush, aka kids (Kitchener – Waterloo) along with the Reverend Jaaaaack-son for We Day next month. Help me decide on what my protest sign should say. I’m leaning toward “Don’t Listen to These Bozos…Listen to Your Parents”.

      Report Post » expatinontariocanada  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:30pm

      This is just a theory, and one I have been following, but there may be two contributing factors to all these earthquakes happening in the wintertime (northern hemissphere) around the world, starting with the massive one that rocked the south pacific in 2004, Dec 25th. One is that on Dec 21st, 2012, the very center of of galaxy will be eclipsed by the sun, and the thoery is the gravitational pull of both our sun and the black hole in our galaxy’s center will be enough to cause some kind of major polar shift. We know, if we have been following the news, that the North pole has been rapidly moving towards Russia at a rate of about 25 miles per year now. Polar shift WILL cause massive, unseen before earthquakes as the techtonic plates struggle to keep up with the magma shifts beneath them. This date also coincides with the end of the Mayan Calander, which many speculate is a prediction for a MAJOR change, and even the end on earth.
      The other thoery, and more far out, is that Planet X, Nibiru, talked about by the Samarian People about 3,600 years ago, is making its 3,600 year orbit around the sun. This planet is supposed to be a ball af magnetic iron almmost the same diameter as Jupiter. As it comes closer, its south pole will be pulling our north pole towards it, making the poles parallel to the sun in the eath’s orbit. There have been many circumstantial evidences to this, and there are too many places to go check this out, so you have to do your own research on this. One place that gave me the MOST info, though, was here. The vid for it is at the bottom of the page.
      http://www.doomsdaytube.com/#2012-Extinction-Doomsday-Prophecies-Proved-By-Scientists

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:32pm

      BTW, that vid I posted shows how 4 satalites track the earth’s magnetic field, and it is being warped badly. And every time it does, there is a major earthquake somewhere around the world. And NO ONE can explain why.

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • drphil69
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:45pm

      Allah is pissed.

      Report Post »  
    • clockn63
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 4:59pm

      Please Lord, keep our guys and gals safe.

      Report Post » clockn63  
    • Sergio Q
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:00pm

      with the upcomming Celestial Alighment of the Earth ,the Sun & the MilkyWay (THE ACTUAL CULPRIT BEHIND MOST GLOBAL WARMING ISSUES!) this is gonna be ..along with other odditys ,disasters & “acts of God” commonplace.
      …but Al & associates cant pump that for as much personal wealth as blameing things on cow fahrtz n poop ,SUV’s ,small buisness ,the open pipes on my vintage HD ,etc…etc..etc..

      ~I hope for the well being of the people of that area. ~cept for terrorist types & there supporters ,get em’ God!~

      Report Post » Sergio Q  
    • c10win
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:25pm

      Sarah Palin has a map of Pakistan. Bathtub boy reporting it’s her fault and the vitriol needs to stop now!!!

      Report Post »  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:39pm

      @ SERGIO, Have you seen the vid in my post?

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • Hermeneuticals
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 6:07pm

      Blame either global warming or Sarah Palin.

      Report Post » Hermeneuticals  
    • BuckOfama
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 6:12pm

      I could care as much about this as I do Haiti. When I was asked to help with the flooding in Haiti I told them that my hose only reached to the end of the driveway…….

      Report Post »  
    • Mister President
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 6:42pm

      It only seems like we are having more earthquakes than normal. There are more people on the planet than ever before, so devastation by extreme weather and earthquakes and volcanoes etc. is more pronounced because it is affecting more people. Plus, with the internet and television and more communication, we are better able to see and view the devastation. This creates the perception that natural disasters are more prevalent when the reality is that with more people on the planet (population was about 4.5 billion in 1980, now it’s about 6.6 billion), more people are being affected by a normal number of natural disasters. We’re just paying more attention because of TV and the internet, etc.

      Although it may seem that we are having more earthquakes, earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have remained fairly constant throughout this century and, according to our records, have actually seemed to decrease in recent years. – US Geological Survey

      Anyway, even if this is the end times, if I was God, I might be thinking maybe I should knock this all down and start over too.

      Report Post » Mister President  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 7:13pm

      @ MISTERPRESIDENT you are wrong about the number of 7.0 earthquake occurances, totally wrong. Look at my above posted video. Either you lie or are uninformed. I hope for the later.

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • Sergio Q
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 11:22pm

      @ “MY SACRED HONOR”
      ahhhhhh , there is intellegent life on this planet ,obviously your a thinking kinda person ~CONGRATZ!!~ …interesting site & the video was outstanding (doubt many will approve since it mentions God & The Bible ~There loss!~) …I will be spending more time evaluateing that site & its scientific presentations ~THANK YOU~
      May I suggest you also look to the Celestial Alignment I mentioned for futher research/study it will add to what you already have gleened via thought & contemplation rather than suckeling on lies & BS
      The aligenment falls directly in line with Biblical text(not of interest to many. -SIGH!-) , Mayan profec. & many other cultures profec’s. , & evin the touted ultra-vague wrightings of Nostradumas.
      NASA & other centers of thought (Not bought-thoughts but real nonbias thinkers) ,agree this WILL happen & as noted in your posting have ,are & will effect our planets gravity ,polarity etc.. etc… ,
      The conclusions range from the types of events currently on the uprise , eventually sizzeling us all back into the middle ages, to far far worse & evin thoughts of these events lobbing us onto total obliteration of life on this planet….. personally I’m not likeing the ladder two but you & I both agree the end result(s) are out of our hands (and Al & the other ManMade Global Warming drones), & tizz best to enjoy life & be thankful for both scientific & Spiritual enlightenment.
      ~prepaire yourselves ladies & gentilmen and for thoes seeking solice via true wtsdom hers one for ya (OK , OK so its 2 vrs’.) …. ~ECCL 1 : 17 & 18~

      HMMMMMM (??) ,
      gosh , are we gonna be dismissed as religious loonz or just freaks not accepting THERE so called scientific proof of humas at fault for this??… will they be buisy blameing Mrs.Palen , Mr.Beck or assorted conservative talk radio hosts??.. wil consparicy flakes get a soapbox to spew fantasys??

      Report Post » Sergio Q  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love