Earthquake Levels Villages on Iranian Island of Qeshm

Ten people were killed and at least 50 injured when an earthquake razed mud-brick villages on the Persian Gulf island of Qeshm off Iran’s southern coast Sunday, officials and state media said.

Tehran’s seismologic center put the quake’s magnitude at 5.9, but the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colo., said it was 6.1. A magnitude 6 quake can cause severe damage. The temblor was felt across the gulf in Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

State-run TV reported that the island’s airport sustained minor damage, and part of a hospital collapsed. No further details on structural damage were provided.

State media said three strong aftershocks were felt.

“The earthquake was really strong, and people poured into the streets in panic. My husband immediately rushed off to one of the stricken villages,” said Sara Sadeqi, 22, a homemaker in Qeshm City.

State television quoted the disaster center in the province of Hormozgan as saying 10 people were killed.

Qeshm Gov. Heidar Alishvandi said 50 were injured.

Mohsen Kazemi from Iran’s Red Crescent relief agency said the four hardest-hit villages were Tonban, Gavarzin, Khaledin and Gourian.

Qeshm is the biggest island in the gulf and is a free-trade zone with a population of more than 100,000.

It is famed for its palm forests, and its beaches are much loved by tourists and nesting sea turtles.