Earthquake in Tehran, panic amid anticipation of a new round of war

According to the deputy head of the Red Crescent of Tehran province, Morteza Rezaei, there have been no reports of deaths, injuries or serious damage to date, but rescue teams have been sent to the epicenter area and put on high alert. Iranian media reported that the tremors were felt for about ten seconds; they were felt by the residents of Tehran, Karaj, Pardis, Bumehen and Roodehen.

Despite its moderate magnitude, the earthquake caused panic among some residents. In the Pardis area, located closer to the epicenter, people left their homes and spent the night in cars and parks. Residents in northern Tehran said multi-story buildings were shaking, and some initially thought a new attack had begun.

Iran is located in an earthquake zone. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake destroyed the ancient city of Bam, one of the most important transit points on the Great Silk Road. Then more than 26,000 people died, 30,000 were injured, and up to 90% of the city’s buildings and infrastructure were destroyed. On November 12, 2017, an earthquake of magnitude 7.2 occurred in the west of Iran, then the Kurdish province of Kermanshah suffered the most: more than 500 people were killed, over 7,000 were injured and injured.