7.5 Magnitude Earthquake in Khuzestan Leaves Dozens Injured

An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale shook parts of the outskirts of Masjed Soleyman in Khuzestan Province. The earthquake caused dozens of injuries and at least one fatality, and reportedly damaged part of the Oil Company Hospital.

According to Iranian media reports, the earthquake that shook parts of the Masjed Soleyman outskirts occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time on Monday, July 8.

The epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 17 kilometers, with the greatest damage reported in the cities of Masjed Soleyman, Qalejahan, and Izeh.

According to TASNIM news agency, the tremor was also felt in Lorestan, Isfahan, Shahrekord, Ilam, Bushehr, Hamadan, Yasouj, Kermanshah, and Shiraz provinces.

According to Kiomars Hajizadeh, the crisis management director-general of Khuzestan, the epicenter of the earthquake was between the cities of Izeh and Masjed Soleyman. Following the earthquake, the crisis management headquarters and rescue teams in the province were put on high alert. Shortly after the main earthquake, a 4-magnitude aftershock occurred in the Masjed Soleyman outskirts.

One Death Due to Cardiac Arrest

The number of injured from the Khuzestan earthquake was reported as 46 by noon on Monday. ILNA news agency, citing Morteza Salimi, head of the Search and Rescue Organization, reported that the number of injured in Masjed Soleyman was 10 people, and one person died following the earthquake due to cardiac arrest.

The crisis management director-general of Khuzestan stated that part of the Oil Company Hospital in Masjed Soleyman, which is an old hospital, was damaged, but no casualties among patients and hospital staff were reported. He announced the issuance of an order to evacuate the Oil Company Hospital.

Heidar Hajjati, the governor of Masjed Soleyman, reported “a high level of destruction” to buildings in the city but noted that most of the injured received outpatient treatment.

Several reports of building damage were also reported in the city of Izeh. The earthquake also reportedly caused damage to some infrastructure, including the power grid network.