Iran: Magnitude-5.5 aftershock occurs in northern Hormozgan Province at around 08:40 Oct. 17 /update 1

Event

A magnitude-5.5 aftershock occurred in northern Hormozgan Province at around 08:40 Oct. 17, following a magnitude-5.3 earthquake at around 08:29. The epicenter was about 61 km (38 miles) north of Bandar Abbas. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was probably felt across most of Hormozgan, southeastern Fars, and southwestern Kerman provinces in Iran and far northern United Arab Emirates (UAE). There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties; however, damage is possible in areas near the epicenter. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.