Potential Earthquake In Tehran Raises National Crisis Concerns

Amidst fears of a devastating earthquake in Tehran, a City Council member issued a stern warning about its potential impact.

Mohammad Aghamiri emphasized that if an earthquake were to strike the capital, which is located in an area of high seismic activity with these the risks compounded by increasing land subsidence, the city’s current infrastructure would not withstand and a national crisis would ensue.

Aghamiri spoke to Etemad newspaper, expressing his deep apprehensions about the current subsidence situation in Tehran, terming it unacceptable and extremely worrying. Recognizing the gravity of the issue, he stressed the crucial need for national support to effectively address and contain the looming threat.

"If an earthquake occurs in Tehran, the capital, which should itself be the command center, will experience a crisis," he said.

His concerns align with the sentiments expressed earlier this year by Mehdi Pirhadi, another member of Tehran City Council, who also underscored the urgency of renovating buildings in the capital to withstand potential earthquakes. Pirhadi emphasized that a quake with a magnitude of over 7 could lead to hundreds of thousands of casualties and deaths, due to 166,000 hectares of worn-out structures across the country.

In light of this grim outlook, experts have predicted that in the event of a magnitude 7 earthquake, at least one and a half million people could lose their lives in Tehran alone.

Iran, situated at the convergence of the Arabian, Indian, and Eurasian tectonic plates, is known for its high seismic activity, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. The nation has experienced several massive earthquakes in recent history, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and substantial economic losses.