An earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan's remote south-west province of Balochistan yesterday. It is thought that the death toll will rise significantly as there are said to be over 400 casualties and medical care and after relief is proving to be a real problem.
Why is the death toll so high in this earthquake considering the area has the lowest population density in Pakistan?
1) Because this is an LEDC and Balochistan is a particularly poor region within Pakistan.
2) Because all of the residential houses were made of mud brick which simply flattened in the earthquake. The only concrete buildings in the area were government buildings.
3) Because the earthquake had a shallow focus of 20km.
4) There are no hospitals/ medical facilities nearby so the injured are awaiting helicopter transfers to Karachi.
5) 90% of buildings have been completely destroyed.
Interesting fact - the earthquake was so powerful it caused the sea bed to thrust upwards, creating a new 200ft wide and 100ft high island about 600m off the coast.
Read more about the event at the link below.
Emirates 247 - Pakistan latest
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