Doha,April,10:Residents from across Qatar felt the aftershocks of an earthquake that occurred in southern Iran. Nearly two hours after the earthquake, many people are being allowed back in their residences and workplaces, with some exceptions. Others have been sent home from work for the day.
Thousands of people were evacuated from office and residential towers across Doha after tremors left many residents feeling a shaking sensation – in some instances for up to 30 to 40 seconds.
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake was registered in southern Iran just before 3pm Doha local time. Shortly thereafter, reports of shaking and earthquake-like effects began pouring in from Doha and elsewhere in Qatar.
Residents reported feeling the tremors across the city, primarily in areas near the coast, including at the Crowne Plaza Hotel towards the south-east, Hamad Hospital in the center of town, and Dafna and West Bay to the north.
Although not all in Doha felt the tremor – there were no reports of shaking in Al Waab – some as far away as Mesaieed and Ras Laffan said they felt it as well.
At the Pearl-Qatar, some towers were evacuated – especially those still under construction – while police took control of the situation there.
Within an hour, the Ministry of Interior said there were no known damages or injuries: “Some residents in Qatar felt tremors following an earthquake in Bushehr city of Iran. There is no damages or casualties in Qatar.”
A four-car pileup did occur around the same time at Ahmed bin Ali Street, although it isn’t yet clear if the tremors had anything to do with it.
Many offices resumed normal operations within the hour, although employees at Qatar Science and Technology Park said they were sent home while a suspected gas leak was investigated.
There have been no recent earthquakes in Qatar, although mild tremors were reported in 2010 and 2011.
Source:
Qatar Chronicle
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