Quake Damages Buildings, Injures Several People

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale hit an area in Iran’s western province of Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad on Sunday, causing damage to buildings and injuring several people.  The Seismological Center of the Institute of Geophysics of Tehran University said the temblor struck an area near Dogonbadan, the center of Gachsaran County of Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad Province, at 2:41 pm local time, IRNA reported.  Data from the seismological center showed the location of the quake at 14 km from Dogonbadan, but the tremors were felt in nearby counties such as Bahmai, Lendeh, Kohgilouyeh, Dena, Basht and Yasuj. Some regions in the neighboring provinces of Bushehr, Fars and Khuzestan also felt the tremors.  No death was reported, but 16 people suffered slight injuries while rushing away in fear of the earthquake and received outpatient treatment.  Teams were dispatched to the quake-hit area to assess any damage to urban and rural structures. Residential buildings were damaged, especially in regions with more worn-out structures, according to the governor of Gachsaran.  “Most of the damage to residential buildings happened in old parts of Dogonbadan, although houses in some other urban areas also sustained serious damage,” Ali Khan Payeh said.  The quake also caused landslides in some regions, including mountain roads, he added.  The civil affairs deputy of the province’s governorate said damage to rural buildings has been measured at 20-40%. “Some of the residential buildings in the villages of Gachsaran are in a very dilapidated condition and need to be rebuilt as soon as possible,” he said.    Rescue and relief teams in a number of provinces, including Khuzestan, have been put on alert.