A powerful earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit Iran's southern coastline on Sunday, state media said. IRNA said the epicentre of the quake, which was occurred at 1:52 pm (1023 GMT), was near the Gulf island of Qeshm, around 35 kilometres from the port city of Bandar Abbas.
The quake was felt for more than 10 seconds. Terrified people ran out of their homes and rushed to the streets to save their lives, IRNA added. The villages of Tonban, Gourian, Goursin and Khaldin were reported to be completely destroyed, according to the governor of Qeshm, Heydar Alishvandi.
At least 10 people were killed and dozens of others were wounded, the official said, adding relief workers were immediately dispatched to the affected areas. IRNA reporter said that the only hospital in the city, which lacked basic medical facilities, was full of injured people. Local officials met at the governor's office to set up an emergency task force to rush relief to the victims.
Quakes of varying magnitudes often occur in Iran, which is situated on some of the world's most active seismic fault lines.
It should be noted that Sunday's earthquake was also felt in the UAE. One Dubai resident told Albawaba that the prestigious Emirates Towers complex, which is located on the Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai, was evacuated.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
