Iran: Earthquake - OCHA-01: 07-May-99

Iran - Earthquake
OCHA-Geneva Situation Report No. 1
7 May 1999


1.  A series of tremors occurred in Iran early this morning. The UN
Resident Coordinator's office in Tehran reports that, according to
information received from the National Disaster Task Force (DTF) of the
Ministry of Interior, the strongest earthquake measuring 6.5 on the
Richter scale hit the province of Fars in southern Iran at 03:31 a.m.
local time (23:01 GMT); aftershock tremors are still impacting the area.
The Shiraz seismological centre put the epicentre at Kouh-Mareh-Sorkhi
about 50 km southwest of Shiraz, the provincial capital. Other geological
monitoring sources (United States Geological Survey) put the magnitude of
the earthquake slightly lower (6.3 on the Richter scale). 

2.  According to the Iranian media, 20 people have lost their lives and 80
have been injured. Damage is reported in 20 villages, including Richi,
Karebass, Chenar-Karyab and Vafkan in Shiraz and the Famour village in
Kazeroun. The damage to the residential areas is between 30 and 100 per
cent, and roads, electricity, water networks, medical centres and schools
have been damaged. 

3.  The DTF, relief workers, Red Crescent Society of Iran, the Army and the
staff of the Construction Crusade (Ministry of Jihad) of the area have
begun search and rescue operations. According to the Fars General Governor
who visited the area, all injured have been evacuated and the relief
operation is effectively under way.

4.  No appeal for assistance has been issued.

5.  OCHA is in close contact with the United Nations Resident Coordinator
in Tehran, Iran, who is closely monitoring the development of the
situation. OCHA is also in contact with the international relief community.

6.  This situation report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone number: +41-22-917 12 34
In case of emergency: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officers: Ms. S. Metzner-Strack/Mr. R. Mueller/Ms. M. Kondo, OCHA
Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel. +41-22-917-21 44 / 31 31 / 19 97
Press contact: Ms. E. Ponomareva, direct Tel. +41-22-917 23 36
Telex: 414242 OCHA CH
Fax: +41-22-9187 00 23
E-mail: info@dha.unicc.org



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