Pakistani netizens come down hard on Dutch scientists for predicting earthquake

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistani social media users strongly reacted to a Dutch research organization’s latest prediction that a strong earthquake could hit the South Asian nation.

On Sunday, the Solar System Geometry Survey (SSGS) of the Netherlands made a prediction about a strong earthquake in southwestern Balochistan province and said “strong fluctuations – potential for strong to major seismic event.”

Later on Monday, a researcher of the SSGS, Frank Hoogerbeets, clarified after public reaction that on Sept. 30, they recorded atmospheric fluctuations that included parts of and near Pakistan.

"This is correct. It can be an indicator of an upcoming stronger tremor (as was the case with Morocco). But we cannot say with certainty that it will happen," he said on X.

"Often when we say that there is the possibility of a stronger earthquake, rumors appear that there will be a big earthquake. These rumors are false! There can be indicators, yes. But there is no certainty that it will happen, he added.

However, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said that such reports cause panic among the public.

"We are monitoring our region and there is no facility available in the world to predict any earthquake, so we didn't issue any statement following the ongoing rumors on social media because it will further spread fear among the public," an official of Pakistan Meteorological Department office in Islamabad told Anadolu over the phone.

Haseeb Nawaz, a Pakistani netizen, said that prediction can be right and can be wrong.

"Plz stop! Our nation is already in a panic mode!" another social media user Zainab Naeem wrote on X.

The prediction by the Dutch research organization has not only taken social media by storm, but even authorities seem to be taking it seriously.

Though the scientific community insisted that it was not possible to predict earthquakes this way, Iranian media reports suggest that the prediction is being taken seriously across the border as well.

The Solar System Geometry Survey (SSGS) of the Netherlands predicted a powerful earthquake along the Chaman fault line in the Balochistan province.