ZCZC
BFF-15
IRAN-EARTHQUAKE-NUCLEAR-LEAD
Quake strikes near Iran nuclear power plant
TEHRAN, Dec 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – An earthquake struck Iran on Friday less
than 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the country’s only nuclear power plant,
monitors said. There were no immediate reports of any damage.
The US Geological Survey said the 5.1 magnitude quake struck 44 kilometres
(27 miles) southeast of Borazjan city and at a depth of 38 kilometres.
Its reported epicentre is 45 kilometres east of the Bushehr nuclear power
plant, on the southwest Gulf coast.
The Iranian Seismological Center said in a preliminary report on its
website that the strength of the quake was 4.9 magnitude and that its depth
was 10 kilometres.
The quake jolted villages near Kalameh city, semi-official news agency
ISNA said, adding there were no immediate reports of any damage.
“Based on assessments by the Red Crescent, and regional (authorities),
we’re yet to hear of any damage,” it quoted the head of the province’s crisis
centre, Jahangir Dehghani, as saying.
“We might have roads blocked in parts of the mountain due to the quake’s
intensity,” he added.
The Bushehr plant, which produces 1,000 megawatts of power, was built by
Russia after being delayed for years and officially handed over in September
2013.
The Islamic republic is seeking to reduce its reliance on oil and gas with
20 nuclear facilities planned over the coming years.
Its nuclear programme is at the centre of a dispute with the United
States, which suspects Iran is trying to obtain an atomic bomb, something the
Islamic republic vehemently denies.
Tensions have escalated between the arch-foes since May last year when US
President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark 2015 accord.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, gave Iran relief from
sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.
Iran sits on top of major tectonic plates and sees frequent seismic
activity.
In November 2017 a 7.3-magnitude tremor in the western province of
Kermanshah killed 620 people.
In 2003, a 6.6-magnitude quake in southeast Iran decimated the ancient
mud-brick city of Bam and killed at least 31,000 people.
Iran’s deadliest quake was a 7.4-magnitude tremor in 1990 that killed
40,000 people in northern Iran, injured 300,000 and left half a million
homeless.
BSS/AFP/RY/11:45 hrs