Kashmar: Iran’s northeastern city of Kashmar was struck by a 4.9 magnitude earthquake, resulting in at least four fatalities and 120 injuries, as reported by state media. The quake, which occurred at 1:24 pm local time (0954 GMT), caused significant damage to both urban and rural areas, primarily affecting older buildings.
Governor Hajatollah Shariatmadari provided the casualty figures on state television, noting that 35 people had been hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the earthquake. The aftermath footage aired by state television depicted scenes of devastation, with rescue workers navigating through rubble where entire streets had been reduced to debris.
The United States Geological Survey indicated that the earthquake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles). Iran, located atop several tectonic plates, frequently experiences seismic activity, making earthquakes a recurrent natural hazard.