NAWABSHAH: An earthquake of moderate intensity hit many towns of Shaheed Benazirabad district and parts of Sanghar district in the early hours of Friday and left at least one person dead and over 50 others injured.

About 35 houses were damaged by the quake, which hit the region at 3:55am and was followed by three aftershocks, the last one was felt at around 6am.

The American Geological Survey said the magnitude of the quake was 4.5 on the Richter scale and the epicentre of the quake was 27 kilometres northeast of Nawabshah at a depth of 15 kilometres.

Most of the houses damaged in the quake were situated in Nawabshah, Daur, Bandhi, Jam Sahab, Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed and Shahpur Chakar.

Several thousand people, most of them asleep, woke up by the strong shock and rattling sound caused by the quake and rushed out of their houses in panic.

Many houses in Taj Colony, Bhangwar Colony, Gharibabad, Dhobi Ghaat, Maunuabad, Ghulam Rasool Shah Colony and some other localities of Nawabshah had their roofs and walls collapsed.

A number of electricity pylons and poles in the city were either uprooted or extensively damaged.

Initial reports suggested that the areas worst-hit by the quake were Nawabshah and Daur talukas.

At about 9am, people started returning to their houses.

Many of the injured people were taken to the Peoples Medical University Hospital, where a state of emergency was declared to cope with the situation.

Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Hashim Langah said that a total of 54 victims were brought to the hospital and one of them died. While 18 people were admitted for extensive treatment, 35 were given first aid and discharged, he added.

Meanwhile, MNA Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho visited the hospital and inquired after the health of the patients. She announced an assistance of Rs300,000 for the deceased victim and Rs25,000 each for the injured victims.

The administration announced a holiday across the district.