More than 520 people injured after M5.6 earthquake hits Iran
More than 520 people were injured after M5.6 earthquake hit West Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran at 00:21 UTC on October 5, 2022. The USGS is reporting a depth of 15 km (9 miles). EMSC is reporting M5.6 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), IRSC M5.4 at a depth of 10 km.
The epicenter was located 8.6 km (5.3 miles) ESE of Khowy (population 175 370), 42.2 km (26.2 miles) NE of Salmās (population 81 606), and 64.8 km (40.2 miles) W of Marand (population 123 191), Iran.
108 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 206 000 strong, and 233 000 moderate.
The USGS issued an Orange alert for shaking-related fatalities. Significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response.
Yellow alert was issued for economic losses. Some damage is possible. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Iran.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and dressed stone/block masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.
According to the governor of West Azerbaijan Province, Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian, the quake injured 528 people, of which 135 had to be admitted to hospital.
The quake and its aftershocks damaged 500 houses in 12 villages, completely destroying 50.
Electricity and water have been cut in some villages near the cities of Salmas and Khoy, said Mojtaba Khaledi, national emergency services spokesman.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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