Light earthquake injures more than 100 in western Iran

Light earthquake injures more than 100 in western Iran

2010-11-07 11:30:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

DOROUD, IRAN (BNO NEWS) -- More than a hundred people were injured on Saturday when a light earthquake rattled western Iran, state-run media reported.

The 4.9-magnitude earthquake at 7.22 a.m. local time (0352 GMT) was centered approximately 17 kilometers (10 miles) from Dorood, a town in Luristan Province. It struck about 5 kilometers (3 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the Iranian Seismological Center.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). reported that a total of 119 people were treated for various injuries at area hospitals, although most of them were quickly released. Twenty-five of them remain hospitalized.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society, however, reported that only 82 people had been injured. "Based on initial information, the earthquake has left 82 injured, most of them have superficial wounds," the agency said, adding that rapid response teams had been sent to deal with the incident.

Provincial officials said that scores of buildings in the region had sustained damage, including some buildings that collapsed.

Light and moderate earthquakes often cause heavy damage and severe casualties in certain parts of the country due to poor construction, especially when they hit during the night when most residents are sleeping.

On August 27, two young children were killed and more than a dozen others were injured when a moderate 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck 76 kilometers (47 miles) from Damghan, a city in the country's Semnan Province.

And in November 2009, a light 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, injuring more than 700 people.

On September 16, 1978, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck central Iran, killing at least 18,220 people.

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