At least five people have been killed and 49 others injured after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in southern Iran, with the area soon to be affected by two successive earthquakes of up to 6.3 magnitude.
Key points:
- The area had experienced several moderate earthquakes in recent weeks
- The magnitude 6.3 earthquake was felt in neighboring countries
- Iran is facing major seismic faults and is experiencing an earthquake on average a day
About 24 earthquakes, two with magnitudes of 6.3 and 6.1, followed the initial earthquake that crushed the village of Sayeh Khosh, near the coast of the Gulf of Iran, in the province of Hormozgan.
“All the victims died in the first earthquake and no one was injured in the next two serious earthquakes, as people were already out of their homes,” a regional governor said.
Residents took to the streets as aftershocks continued to shake the area, damaging buildings and infrastructure.
Half of the 49 injured have already been discharged from hospital, an emergency services spokesman said, and authorities say search and rescue operations have been completed.
Shipping and Gulf flights have not been affected by the quakes, which could be felt in several neighboring countries.
One hundred and fifty earthquakes and tremors have affected western Hormozgan over the past month and the area has suffered several moderate earthquakes in recent weeks.
In November, a man died after two magnitude 6.4 and 6.3 earthquakes.
Iran is on major seismic faults and is experiencing an earthquake on an average day, suffering several devastating earthquakes in recent years.
In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake in Kerman province killed 31,000 people and crushed the ancient city of Bam.
ABC / children