7.5 magnitude earthquake in Khuzestan leaves dozens injured

An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale shook parts of the outskirts of Masjed-e-Suleiman in Khuzestan province. The quake left dozens injured and at least one dead, and part of the oil company hospital was reportedly destroyed.

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

The epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 17 kilometers, and most of the damage was reported from the cities of Masjed Soleiman, Qale Khajeh, and Izeh.

According to Tasnim News Agency, the earthquake was also felt in the provinces of Lorestan and Isfahan, Shahrekord, Ilam, Bushehr, Hamedan, Yasuj, Kermanshah, and Shiraz.

According to Kiomars Hajizadeh, Director General of Khuzestan's Crisis Management, the epicenter of the earthquake was between the cities of Izeh and Masjed Soleiman, and following its occurrence, the province's crisis management headquarters and relief and rescue teams have been put on alert. Shortly after the earthquake, an aftershock measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale occurred in the outskirts of Masjed Soleiman.

One person died from cardiac arrest.

The number of injured in the Khuzestan earthquake has been announced as of noon on Monday. ILNA news agency quoted Morteza Salimi, head of the Relief and Rescue Organization, as saying that the number of injured in the Suleiman Mosque was 10, and that one person also died of cardiac arrest following the earthquake.

The Director General of Khuzestan's Crisis Management says that part of the Naft Hospital in Masjed Soleiman, which is an old hospital, was destroyed by the earthquake, but no patients or hospital staff were harmed. He announced that an order has been issued to evacuate the Naft Hospital.

Haider Hojati, the governor of Masjed-e-Suleiman, reported a "high level of destruction" of buildings in the city, but noted that most of the injured were treated on an outpatient basis.

There were also several reports of damage to buildings in the city of Izeh. The earthquake is also said to have damaged some of the infrastructure, including the power grid.