Khuzdar, Pakistan — A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck southwestern Pakistan early Saturday, hitting at 12:06 AM Central Time about 30 miles west-northwest of Khuzdar in Balochistan province.

What happened: The U.S. Geological Survey reports the quake struck at a shallow depth of about 6 miles, which lets shaking travel efficiently to the surface. The epicenter sits in the rugged terrain northwest of Khuzdar, a city of roughly 200,000 people. The USGS has posted a yellow alert for this event — its second-highest impact estimate.

Impacts: Early shaking data rates the intensity near the epicenter as moderate. Two "felt it" reports have reached the USGS so far, and a yellow alert means casualties and damage are possible — local crews will be checking buildings, roads, and remote villages through the morning. This quake was well inland, so there is no tsunami threat.

What to do:

- During shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until it stops.

- Stay away from windows, glass, and anything that could topple.

- Expect aftershocks — a 5.7 commonly produces smaller follow-on quakes in the hours and days ahead.

- After the shaking, check for cracked walls, gas odors, and shifted furniture before going back inside.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 17, 2026.