Iran: Northeastern Iran hit by 5.7 magnitude earthquake, May 13-14

Event

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale hit the rural town of Pishgaleh, in Maneh district, North Khorasan Province (northeast) during the night of Saturday, May 13. The quake is thought to have left three people dead and some 200 injured. The full extent of the damage remains unknown, but news agencies have reported disruptions to power and damage to several buildings in nearby villages. Aftershocks are possible.

Context

Iran is located in a highly active seismic zone. On April 5, a magnitude 6 earthquake struck an area near to the city of Mashhad in the province of Khorasan Razavi (northeast), killing at least two. In 2013, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck southeast of Tehran, killing 37 people and resulting in significant material damage.

Advice

Individuals present in the impacted region are advised to monitor the situation, to be prepared for aftershocks, and to heed to any instructions issued by local authorities.

In the event of aftershocks, individuals are advised to protect themselves as much as possible from falling debris if indoors (under a table, under a door frame, in a small bathroom, etc.), to move away from windows, and to not attempt to leave the building unless there is an immediate danger or on the ground flood. If outdoors, move away from tall buildings, utility wires, streetlight.