Moderate quake jolts southern Iran

TEHRAN (AFP) Jan 23, 2004
A moderate earthquake measuring 4.5 on the open-ended Richter scale jolted an area near the city of Kazerun, in Iran's southern Fars province early Friday, the state IRNA news agency said.

The quake struck at 12:49 am (2119 GMT) and there were no reports of casualties, it said.

Early Wednesday, another moderate trembler hit close to the quake-devastated city of Bam in southeastern Iran.

The quake, which hit Sardouiyeh district 90 kilometers (55 miles) west of Bam, sent residents in the icy mountainous area running from their homes, although there were no injuries there either.

On December 26, Bam was struck by a huge quake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale. According to officials, the death toll now stands at 41,000 but could rise to 45,000 as recovery operations continue.

During the 20th century, around 20 big quakes hit Iran, leaving more than 140,000 people dead.

Since 1991 alone, and before the Bam disaster, nearly 1,000 earthquakes have claimed some 17,600 lives and injured 53,000 people, according to official figures.

TERRA.WIRE