Southwest Iran, on quake alert, hit by four more tremors

TEHRAN (AFP) Jan 10, 2004
Four more mild earthquakes have jolted a major oil- and gas-producing area in southwest Iran, seismologists said Saturday, days after the region was put on maximum alert.

The latest tremors near the towns of Masjed Soleiman and Izeh on Friday -- the heaviest of which measured 3.9 on the Richter scale -- bring to at least 34 the number recorded over a four-day period, scientists at Tehran University's geophysical institute were quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA.

On Wednesday, President Mohammad Khatami ordered emergency precautions to be taken in and around the towns of Masjed Soleiman, Izeh and Baghmalek -- situated around 450 kilometres (280 miles) southwest of Tehran in Khuzestan province.

Iran has been on a quake footing after a massive earthquake hit the southeastern city of Bam on December 26, killing up to 35,000 people.

TERRA.WIRE