April 16, 2013. 7.9 earthquake hits Iran, at least 40 dead, telecoms cuts reported in UAE

SOURCE:

Kroll

An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck near the Iran-Pakistan border, killing at least 40 people, Iran state media reported on April 16th. Iranian media did not immediately report on the extent of the damage, however the quake was felt as far away as India and Dubai. This quake occurred less than a week after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck near the Bushehr region of Iran, killing at least 37.

In the United Arab Emirates, the earthquake cut off mobile phone and Internet lines, with some companies advising their employees to work from home. The earthquake shook residential and commercial buildings in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, prompting officials to evacuate them. Large crowds gathered in Jebel Ali, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Emaar Square after the earthquake. Local residents were advised to evacuate their buildings if aftershocks strike. A fake warning message made the round on smartphones in the UAE raising panic until officials confirmed it was fake.

In Qatar, officials warned local residents to prepare for aftershocks after the earthquake was felt. The earthquake was also felt in Bahrain.

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