50 dead, 400 injured as quakes jolt Iranian cities

KABUL): A 6.2 magnitude earthquake on Saturday struck the Iranian cities of Varzaqan and Ahar in the eastern province of Azerbayjan, killing up to 50 people and wounding hundreds, media reports said.

About 400 people were injured in the tremors, ISNA news agency reported. The US Geological Survey measured the first quake at 6.4 magnitude and the second at 6.3 struck.

Telephone communications were snapped, thwarting rescue efforts. Panicked residents left their homes as a result of the temblors near Tabriz.

Gholamreza Masoum, the head of Iran’s emergency services, told ISNA: “About 40 to 50 people have been killed in the quakes today. About 400 have also been injured and were transported to Tabriz and Ardebil.”

The Islamic Republic News Agency reported some buildings in Tabriz suffered structural damage and power lines were affected. Telephone lines were down in Ahar.

PAN Monitor/mud

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