Deaths Reported After Earthquake Strikes Pakistan's Remote Balochistan

A strong earthquake has killed at least 45 people and injured scores more in Pakistan' southwestern province of Balochistan.

Officials in Pakistan's disaster-response agency fear the death toll from the September 23 earthquake could climb as reports of destruction come in from the remote region.

The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake measured 7.8 magnitude.

Most casualties were reported from the Awaran and Khuzdar districts in central Balochistan.

Tremors have also destroyed the region's communications network. There are reports of houses having collapsed in some areas.

RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal reports that the port city of Karachi was also affected.

Pakistani television showed people rushing out of tall office buildings in Karachi after the tremor.

Reports said the quake was also felt in northwestern Pakistan and the Indian capital, New Delhi.

Reports also said a new island appeared after the tremor, close to the coastline of Gwadar in Balochistan.

In April, a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck across the border in Iran, killing at least 35 people in Balochistan.

With reporting by Reuters, RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, and AFP