Pakistani rescuers have pulled 175 bodies from the rubble of hundreds of mud-walled homes in Baluchistan province after a powerful earthquake hit the area today, a government official said.
The US Geological Survey said a 6.4 magnitude quake hit 60km (40 miles) northeast of Quetta, capital of Baluchistan province. Pakistan's Meteorological Department put the magnitude at 6.5 and said the quake struck at 5.10am (2310 GMT).
About 20 aftershocks, the biggest of which was 6.2 magnitude, caused more damage and frightened survivors as they searched the rubble for loved ones.
"The rescue operation is over. We've retrieved all bodies and the injured. Now the problem is relief as there's a shortage of tents, blankets and food while the weather is getting cold," Chief district administrator Dilawar Khan said.
The epicentre of today's earthquake was near the scenic valley of Ziarat, one of the main tourist spots in Baluchistan.
Provincial minister Zamrak Khan had earlier said the death toll was likely to rise. "Eight villages in Ziarat have been badly affected and there are still many areas which have not yet been reached," Mr Khan said.
Houses had been destroyed in landslides triggered by the quake, a district official added.
"Hundreds of mud houses have collapsed. We are using whatever resources we have to help the people and have asked for help from the provincial government," said the Ziarat district chief, Mr Khan. "There is a large number of injured."
Some roads had been blocked by landslides and army helicopters were helping with the rescue. But teams had yet to reach remote places in mountains above the Ziarat valley, Mr Khan said. Ziarat district has a population of about 50,000.
Five people had been killed in neighbouring Pishin district, to the north of Quetta, district government officials said.
The head of a national disaster management team said about 300 rescue workers had reached Ziarat. The army was sending a field hospital while tents, blankets and clothing were also being flown in.
Officials and hospital staff said scores of people had been injured, most when houses collapsed or in the panic when people rushed from their homes.
The Meteorological Department said two tremors had struck before dawn, the second one bigger than the first.
In October 2005, about 73,000 people were killed in Pakistan when a 7.6 magnitude quake hit northern mountains, and last year the worst floods on record in Baluchistan killed hundreds.
Reuters