A powerful earthquake
measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale has hit southern Iran, killing
at least 13 people. The earthquake struck Gheshm Island and the city
of Bandar Abbas at 13:53 local time on Sunday morning. Gheshm Island
is a tourist destination and home to some 120,000 people.
According to the
latest reports, the most affected area was the north-western part
of the island where six villages - Gavarzin, Tonbaan, Gooshe, Karvaan,
Ghorbadan and Beyposht - were almost completely destroyed. 60 people
on the island were injured while about 6,000 others were made homeless.
Most of the injuries were caused by people running out of panic.
Iran is an earthquake-prone
region and Sunday’s quake reminded people of how vulnerable this region
is to tremors which have a potential to damage and kill people.
ACT member in
Iran KERKINACTIE (ACT Netherlands) which is still working in
the country on rehabilitation activities in Bam, has contacted their
partner organisations the Kerman Crisis Management Center and
the State Welfare Organization to follow up on the situation.
According to their reports, the search and rescue activities will
end tomorrow. They also report that the Red Crescent is providing
the most urgent assistance to the affected population. KERKINACTIE
will continue to assess the situation and provide more information.
In February this
year, a 6.4-magnitude quake hit the town of Zarand in Kerman province,
killing hundreds of people and injuring more than 1,400. On December
26, 2003, another earthquake levelled much of the ancient city of
Bam and claimed over 20,000 lives.
