Over 300 persons killed, injured in Kurdistan due to 7.3 magnitude earthquake

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Seven persons were killed, while 321 others were wounded as result of the earthquake that hit large parts of Iraq on Sunday evening, Kurdistan’s Health Ministry has announced.

In press remarks on Monday, Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed said four persons were killed in Darbandikhan, two in Garmian and one in Sulaimaniya.

In related news, the Iraqi Water Resources Ministry has indicated slips in a mountain near the Darbandikhan dam as result of the earthquake that hit the border area between Iran and Iraq’s Kurdistan.

Rahman Khani, the head of the dam, said the earthquake affected the region and that the damages cannot be counted yet due to the power outage in the dam. People living near Sirwan River were informed to leave immediately fearing emergency.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi gave orders on Sunday evening to civil defense to take measures in the wake of the quake.

A statement by the office of Abadi said the latter “follows on situations of the citizens after the earthquake.”

“Instructions were given to the civil defense and authorities in question, once the earthquake happened, to protect lives of people. There has been a follow-up on the impacts that resulted,” it added.

The United Nations has also made a statement expressing sadness by the damages caused due to the earthquake.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary general, conveyed condolences to families, governments and people of both Iraq and Iran and wished speedy recovery for the wounded. He also expressed readiness for assistance if required.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured a magnitude of 7.3, hitting southeast of Sulaimaniya.

The quake’s epicenter was in Halabja town in Kurdistan.

Several regions including Kurdistan and Iraqi cities as well as areas in Iran and Kuwait felt the quake.