Iran earthquake shakes Middle East

http://news.sky.com/story/1078868/large-earthquake-felt-across-the-middle-east

Large Earthquake Felt Across The Middle East
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes Iran and is felt across the Middle East, with at least 40 people reported to have been killed.

A powerful earthquake has struck near the border of Iran and Pakistan, with at least 45 people reported to have been killed.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 - strong enough to cause damage to buildings.

Tremors were felt across the Middle East and as far away as the Indian capital New Delhi.

Iran's state-run Press TV said at least 40 people were killed.

However, a government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters he expected hundreds of deaths in what he described as "the biggest earthquake in Iran in 40 years".

Meanwhile, a hospital spokesman in Pakistan said at least five people had been killed there.

The earthquake happened around 73 miles beneath the surface in an area prone to tectonic activity.

The remote, mountainous region is around 115 miles southeast of Zahedan, a city with a population of around 550,000.

Iran's Red Crescent Society, which has sent rescue teams to the area, said it was facing a "complicated emergency situation", with villages scattered over desolate hills and valleys.

Strong tremors were felt across the Gulf, where high-rise buildings swayed and officials ordered evacuations.

The National newspaper said buildings were cleared in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which is home to the world's tallest tower, the 828m Burj Khalifa.

The earthquake was also felt in New Delhi, where witnesses said tall buildings shook, sending people running into the streets.

Local TV channel NDTV said lights and equipment in its south Delhi studio shook for nearly a minute.

The tremors come a week after a deadly 6.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded 60 miles southeast of Bushehr, the site of Iran's nuclear reactor.

On Boxing Day 2003, more than 26,000 people were killed when a 6.6 magnitude quake struck Bam.

More follows...

=========

Can you let us know you're OK Lily? As soon as you have come out from under the table......

Hi Bonny. Sorry but I went out........

The tremors here were very slight in comparison with California. Although other people who are not used to earthquakes were worried........

Tony's always laid-back about earthquakes, too - it probably terrified all the Brits in Dubai, though.

It does seem to have caused a good few casualties in Iran, more seriously - around about fifty, so far. Which I know isn't many by earthquake standards, but it's yet more depressing news, on a day full of tragedy.

Re earthquakes in California - actually I hardly noticed them after the first couple, and if they happened at night not even Armageddon can wake me when I'm asleep! I slept through a tornado in Tennessee, when I got up in the morning there was a car rammed high up in the tree opposite my bedroom window!! LL

Wow, LL.