A 5.7 magnitude earthquake has hit Pakistan with several buildings in the region destroyed

Residents have shared photos of damage to their homes, including cracks in walls, after the tremor struck about eight miles from the town of Harnay just after 3am local time on Thursday.

The quake destroyed several houses in the region, with several people reporting to be buried under collapsed buildings, according to local officials.

Power supplies are also reportedly impacted in a number of areas

Suhail Anwar Shaheen, the deputy commissioner of the area, said at least 200 people have been hurt and he expected the death toll to rise as officials search through the remote mountainous area.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 5.7 and a depth of about 20 kilometre

Authorities in Pakistan have confirmed that at least 20 people have been killed, they are expecting that toll to continue to grow.

Pakistan is susceptible to earthquakes as it straddles the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.