OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Islamic Republic of Iran - Earthquake
22 June 2002


Situation

1.  At 02:58 GMT on 22 June 2002, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 on
the Richter Scale hit Western Iran. According to the United States
Geological Survey, the epicentre of the earthquake was 35.67N, 48.93E in
the province of Quazvin, north-western of Tehran (225 km W of Tehran, 105
km NNE of Hamadan, 115 km SW of Qazvin, 115 SSE of Zanjan).

2.  The cities of Avaj and Razan are the most severely affected. The
earthquake hit the western Hamadan province, Tehran province, the northern
Gilan and Ardebil provinces, western Zanjan and Kordestan provinces.

3.  So far, 120 deaths have been confirmed.  However, it is estimated that
more than 500 people have died and that between 2,000 and 4,000 people
have been injured. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies reports that nearly 100 villages have been badly
damaged or destroyed.


National and International Response

4.  The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent on site 400 relief workers
from four neighbouring provinces to carry out search and rescue operations
and to evacuate the injured. The Iranian Red Crescent Society has also
dispatched two specialised relief teams from the capital and search dogs
with trainers to search for survivors buried under the rubble.

5.  UNDP is assembling an inter-agency assessment team, which would
include UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, WHO and possibly FAO, to assess the affected
areas early tomorrow morning.

6.  OCHA is mobilising the United Nations Disaster Assessment and
Coordination Team (UNDAC).


Request of International Assistance

7.  The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not issued an
appeal for international assistance but has indicated it would welcome
financial and material assistance from the international community.

8.  OCHA remains in contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in
the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will revert with further information
when available.

9.  This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA website at http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. J. de Meritens / Ms. H. Kuttab / Ms. F. D'Andreagiovanni
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 19 34 / 31 94 / 14 78

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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