An earthquake of 5.9 magnitude hit the border area between Northern Kurdistan (Bakur) and Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat) Sunday morning.

The epicentre was 47 kilometres west of the city of Khoy (Xoy) in Rojhilat and 90 kilometres east of Van in Bakur. The greatest destruction occurred in the rural neighborhood of Özpinar in Başkale district of Van province where nine people died and at least 65 were injured. Most of the houses and stables collapsed, thousands of farm animals were buried under the debris. In addition, several aftershocks have been recorded, one of which was 5.8 on the Richter scale. Hundreds of buildings were badly damaged.

44 villages uninhabitable

In Kotol (Qotur) area near Khoy at least 104 people were injured in the earthquakes. 44 villages near the area north of Urmia are no longer inhabitable. The worst affected village is Gugerd, where about 400 families live. Also in the villages of Kortanava and Mexil, people now have to sleep outside in the cold temperatures. Wrapped in blankets, they persevere in the snow in front of their damaged houses or warm themselves by the open fire. Many do not know how to go on. The people in the mountainous region live from agriculture and cattle breeding. But almost all animals have died under the rubble.

Iranian government representatives had previously stated on state television that the affected area was not densely populated and that no damage was known. In the meantime, the government has had to correct these statements, but so far hardly any state aid has arrived. Pictures obtained by ANF show the dramatic situation on site.