The magnitude 5.9 quake struck near the remote, mountainous city of Harnai in Balochistan province at about 3 a.m. local time, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

It occurred at a depth of 9 kilometers below the surface, it said.

There are also fears that the death toll may rise further as many people were trapped under the rubble.

Rescue operations are still underway, officials said.