Deadly 5.9 magnitude earthquake hits northwestern Iran

Author: Web Desk

TEHRAN: A night-time earthquake in northwestern Iran on Friday killed five people and injured 120, according to early reports on state television.


The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake struck around 60km (35 miles) from the town of Hastrud, in East Azerbaijan Province, shortly before 2:30 am local time on Friday (2300 GMT Thursday).

It was 8km (5 miles) deep and described as “moderate” by Iran’s Seismological Centre. There were five aftershocks.

Provincial governor, Mohammad-Reza Pourmohammadi, told local media that at least 30 houses had been destroyed.

The EMSC said that some 20 million people felt the quake.

One official said that “the earthquake was in the middle of the village of Varankesh and the injured were from the city of Sarab. A number of houses were reported demolished in the city of Turkmenchay.

Tabriz has been the site of many deadly earthquakes throughout history.

In 1990, a 7.4-magnitude quake in northern Iran killed 40,000 people, injured 300,000 and left half a million homeless, reducing dozens of towns and nearly 2,000 villages to rubble.

Iran has experienced at least two other significant quakes in recent years — one in 2005 that killed more than 600 people and another in 2012 that left some 300 dead.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Business

Gold rates decrease by Rs 200 per tola to Rs 240,000

The per tola price of 24 karat gold decreased by Rs 200 and was sold…

9 hours ago
  • Business

Sunak’s summer election brings hope to Britain’s bruised financial sector

As Britain prepares to revisit the ballot box, executives in the City of London are…

9 hours ago
  • Business

High cost of doing business is industry’s core issue: FRIA

Ferozepur Road Industrial Association (FRIA) has asked the government to work on a fast track…

9 hours ago
  • Business

Onion export from Pakistan exceeds $210mn

For the first time in the country's history, the export of onions from Pakistan has…

9 hours ago
  • Business

Pak Envoy invites Chinese, in’l enterprises to invest in STZs, UAV sectors

Pakistan Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi briefed Chinese and international enterprises and entrepreneurs about the…

9 hours ago
  • Business

Farmers advised to prepare land for sesame cultivation from June

Agriculture experts have advised farmers to ensure preparation of their land for cultivation of sesame…

9 hours ago