Deadly Quake Hits Southern Iran

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake has hit Southern Iran on Tuesday, killing at least 30 people and injuring hundreds more.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake’s center struck the town of Kaki, some 100kms away from Iran’s only nuclear power station in Bushehr.

Iranian authorities said that there was no damage done to the Bushehr power plant and no radioactive release at the facility. In a statement by the plant’s executive in Mehr news agency, he said that the plant is built to resist earthquakes below magnitude eight.

According to the state-run IRNA news agency, there was also serious damage done to the cities of Kormouj, Dayer and Kangan and the villages of Shanbe and Sana. Water and electricity were already cut in the affected areas.

Rescue units have already been deployed to the areas struck by the powerful quake. IRNA reported that the Iranian Crescent Society already sent five assessment teams to survey the damage and direct rescue operations.

The quake was also felt in parts of Bahrain, Quatar, and the United Arab Emirates. In Abu Dhabi, some buildings were evacuated and their employees sent home for the day.

Adapted by: Easterlyn Kwan Benigay, UP MassComm Intern

Sources: bbc.co.uk, cnn.com