October 31, 2008	Friday	Ziqa'ad 1, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Oct 30: More than 250 aftershocks have shaken southwest Pakistan since the devastating 6.4-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 215 people, seismologists said on Thursday.

“So far we have recorded 253 aftershocks,” Saifullah Shami, from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, told AFP by telephone from Quetta. Four of the tremors were strong, two were severe and two were moderate, he added.

The initial earthquake happened before dawn on Wednesday. A 6.2-magnitude aftershock on Wednesday afternoon recorded by the US Geological Survey caused fresh panic for survivors in the region, as rescue workers struggled to reach affected villages and distribute aid and shelter.

The state-run Associated Press of Pakistan news agency said a mild quake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale jolted the Quetta region on Thursday afternoon, triggering renewed concerns.

PMD Director-General Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry said that aftershocks were likely to be felt into next week, but would decrease in strength.—AFP