KARACHI – In a rare and unsettling turn of events, the metropolis of Karachi has experienced a staggering 32 earthquakes over a six-day span, from June 1 to June 6, according to data released by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
While the tremors have alarmed residents, authorities have confirmed that no casualties or property damage have been reported thus far.
The seismic activity began shortly after midnight on June 1, when a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck near Malir at a depth of 15 kilometres — marking the first of the current series. The intensity escalated on June 2 with the strongest quake to date, a magnitude 3.6 tremor near Quaidabad, shaking Karachi at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres.
June 3 proved to be a highly active day, with 10 earthquakes recorded across various neighborhoods including Gadap Town and DHA City. Multiple tremors ranging from magnitude 2.2 to 3.2 rattled Malir and surrounding regions, pushing concerns even higher.
However, June 4 stood out as the most seismically volatile day in Karachi, with 12 quakes in total. The most significant was a 3.4 magnitude event northwest of DHA, accompanied by a series of smaller shocks in Korangi and Quaidabad. The shallow nature of many quakes — some as little as 5 to 10 kilometres deep — made them easily perceptible to city dwellers.
June 5 saw four more tremors, including the deepest of the series — a 3.1 magnitude earthquake at 80 kilometres depth near Malir. On June 6, five additional earthquakes were recorded, ranging from a very mild 1.5 magnitude to a more noticeable 2.7 magnitude near DHA.
Amid rising public anxiety, a local publication speculated a “major earthquake” between June 5 and 7 — a prediction the PMD categorically dismissed. “There is no scientific method to accurately predict earthquakes,” emphasized a PMD official, urging Karachi citizens to rely solely on verified government sources.
Chief Meteorologist Karachi, Amir Hyder Laghari, clarified that these frequent earthquakes are a natural release of tectonic stress from local fault lines. He added, “The more minor earthquakes occur, the less likely a massive one becomes.”