Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tehran earthquake: Magnitude 5.2 tremor hits Iran's capital

Quake comes five weeks after a major earthquake in the country killed at least 600 people

Wednesday 20 December 2017 21:35 GMT
Comments
The epicentre was at Meshkin Dasht in Alborz Province, 50 km west of Tehran
The epicentre was at Meshkin Dasht in Alborz Province, 50 km west of Tehran (Google)

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

A large earthquake of magnitude 5.2 has struck Iran's capital Tehran, according to state television.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The report said the quake hit just before 11.30pm Wednesday local time, Reuters reports.

The epicentre was at Meshkin Dasht in Alborz Province, 50 km west of Tehran, Tasnim news agency quoted Morteza Salimi, the head of Relief and Rescue Organization of Iran's Red Crescent, as saying.

The earthquake was also felt in the cities of Karaj, Qom, Qazvin and Arak according to state TV.

"There have been no reports of casualties or damage," Behnam Saeedi, a spokesman for Iran's National Disaster Management Organization, was quoted as saying by the ILNA news agency.

In parts of Tehran residents flooded into streets and parks, fearing a stronger aftershock.

Flights into and out of Tehran Mehrabad Airport are unaffected, despite the earthquake, Aviation Iran said.

The quake comes five weeks after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the country and became the deadliest of 2017 killing over 620 people.

Reuters contributed to this report

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in