14 DAY TRIAL // As reported, Iran has just been hit by a major earthquake that was felt by neighboring countries as well. The USGS says that its magnitude was one of 7.8, yet the Iranian Seismological Center places the shake at 7.5 on the Richter scale.
Although detailed information concerning the earthquake and its impact on the country of Iran and its people is yet to reach the public, RT informs us that at least 40 people have thus far been reported dead.
Given the magnitude of the shake, it is believed that the death toll will eventually rise to several hundreds, the Iranian state TV says.
Specialist's claim that the earthquake's epicenter was located at a distance of 83 kilometers (52 miles) from the city of Khash.
The claims that several hundred people have lost their lives because of this major shake are based on the fact that this city in southeastern Iran is a populous one. More precisely, a census carried out in 2006 indicated that this city was home to over 56,000 people.
By the looks of it, rescue helicopters and ground teams have already been sent to the area hit by the earthquake.
Information shared with the public by the USGS says that people living in the city of Kandahar in Afghanistan and in Karachi in Pakistan have also felt the shake.
“Felt my laptop and table shake noticeably. There was no window rattling, but the shaking motion was visibly strong,” one witness in Karachi reportedly told members of the press. Gulf News says that people living in United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan and India have all felt the tremors. Most of the people living in these countries took to the streets when the earthquake struck.
Presently, geologists are very much concerned that the earthquake might be followed by a series of aftershocks.
Estimates concerning the structural damage caused by this major shake are to soon be carried out and shared with the public.