Iran: Officials confirm at least 165 people injured after magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurs in West Azerbaijan Province at 06:46 IRST March 24 /update 1

Event

Officials in Iran's West Azerbaijan Province have confirmed that the magnitude-5.6 earthquake that occurred in the province at around 06:46 IRST March 24 injured at least 165 people. Despite the casualty count, provincial authorities have claimed that the material damage caused by the temblor was not serious.

The epicenter of the earthquake was about 13 km (8 miles) southwest of Khowy, Iran. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 18 km (11 miles), and moderate-to-strong shaking was probably felt near the epicenter in West Azerbaijan Province and in Van Province, Turkey (Turkiye). Lighter shaking was probably felt in other parts of northwestern Iran, far southeastern Turkey, far northern Iraq, southern Armenia, and far southwestern Azerbaijan. 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 in areas where no significant 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.