Iran: Severe earthquake hits region around city of Khoy

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake has struck northwestern Iran. At least three people died and more than 800 were injured. Relief operations had already started during the night.

Images from surveillance cameras show people running out of shops in panic during the first tremors. Immediately afterwards, shelves tip over and buildings partially collapse. Only the day after the earthquake in the region around the city of Khoy in northwestern Iran did the full extent of the consequences become apparent.

Zabihullah Kazemi-Athar is the governor of Khoy. The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.9 and there were many aftershocks, he says on Iranian television. “There was major damage in the center of Khoy and the neighboring town of Firorag and in a radius of around 70 kilometers,” Kazemi-Athar continued. Twelve camps have already been set up as makeshift accommodation, and more are to be set up in the city districts.

Relief operation started that night

The aid organization Red Crescent began sending relief supplies to the region that night. Airplanes are loaded. In Tehran and other parts of the country, helpers throw sacks onto conveyor belts. It’s about tents, blankets, food.

The aid started immediately after the quake, says Pirhossian Kolivand, head of the Red Crescent: “The rescue operation began almost immediately after the quake and went on without a break until morning prayers. Food arrived and makeshift camps were set up.” The relief supplies were sent to Khoy from various provinces with army cargo planes.

Kolivand also talks about the extent of the damage: around 70 villages are affected. In some places every fifth building is damaged, in others even every second one.

Many have lost their homes

Hospitals in the region had been alerted. When the first injured are brought in, things get hectic. In freezing temperatures, uninjured residents stand or sit wrapped in blankets outside and try to warm themselves by fires. Many have lost their homes or, fearing aftershocks, have spent the night outside. Many who have a car have gone to see friends or relatives. Long traffic jams formed after the earthquake.

Third earthquake within a few months

According to the US Geological Institute, the earthquake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale at a depth of 10 kilometers. The tremors were also felt in eastern Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

It was the third earthquake in the Khoy region within a few months. Just ten days ago, around 120 people were injured there after a 5.4 magnitude tremor, most of them as a result of panic.