Courtesy Google Maps
Courtesy Google Maps
Courtesy Google Maps
Courtesy Google Maps

Dubai and Abu Dhabi feel tremors from 6.7-magnitude earthquake in Iran


  • English
  • Arabic

Tremors were felt in Abu Dhabi and Dubai after two earthquakes rocked Iran in the space of a minute on Sunday.

The impact was also experienced in the Northern Emirates.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded in southern Iran at 4.07pm, followed by one measuring 6.7 a minute later, the National Meteorology Centre posted on Twitter.

The NCM said the impact was “slightly felt in the northern and eastern side of the country without effect".

Residents in Downtown Dubai as well as in Dubai Media City and Dubai Sports City reported buildings shaking.

“I felt the ground shake and the lights were moving,” said Varsha Vasant, who works in the D3 area of Dubai.

Residents posted videos on Twitter of items in their flats being shaken by the quake roughly 1,000km away.

They told how some buildings and offices were evacuated as a precaution.

A number of countries across the region have been affected by the two quakes.

.
.

It was the third earthquake to strike Iran in 24 hours.

The NCM had recorded tremors hitting 4.7-magnitude in the early hours of Sunday, however there were no reports of it being felt in the Emirates.

"The stations of the National Seismic Monitoring Network of the National Center of Meteorology recorded a tremor of magnitude 4.7 in southern Iran at 12:52am, corresponding to November 14," the NCM had posted on Twitter.

The UAE has previously dealt with the after-effects of earthquakes in Iran.

Such earthquakes do not typically have a significant effect on life in the Emirates, but can sometimes make their presence known if of sufficient strength.

Tremors were felt in the Emirates after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck Iran last June.

Last February, residents across the UAE felt the ground shake after a 5.8-magnitude quake struck Iran's Qeshm Island.

Buildings swayed in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates, causing computer monitors to shake.

The country has also been hit by earthquakes, albeit on a smaller scale.

A 'micro-earthquake' — of 1.9-magnitude — struck Dibba on the UAE's east coast last month.

In pictures: UAE residents evacuated after Iran earthquake tremors in 2013

  • Buildings in Dubai Media City are evacuated following an earthquake in Dubai, April 16, 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
    Buildings in Dubai Media City are evacuated following an earthquake in Dubai, April 16, 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Rolando Banzon holds his daughter Alyssa, 3, after evacuating his Abu Dhabi residential building with his wife Analissa and son Ali, 6. Sammy Dallal / The National
    Rolando Banzon holds his daughter Alyssa, 3, after evacuating his Abu Dhabi residential building with his wife Analissa and son Ali, 6. Sammy Dallal / The National
  • People stand outside Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi. The quake, 86 kilometres southeast of Khasah, Iran and less than 100 kilometres west of the Pakistan border, struck at a depth of 15.2km, the US Geological survey said. Delores Johnson / The National
    People stand outside Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi. The quake, 86 kilometres southeast of Khasah, Iran and less than 100 kilometres west of the Pakistan border, struck at a depth of 15.2km, the US Geological survey said. Delores Johnson / The National
  • People wait outside after evacuating offices in Dubai Media City. Jumana El Heloueh / Reuters
    People wait outside after evacuating offices in Dubai Media City. Jumana El Heloueh / Reuters
  • Buildings in Dubai, such as in Media City, pictured, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah were evacuated and residents reported tremors from Fujairah to Al Ruwais. Sarah Dea / The National
    Buildings in Dubai, such as in Media City, pictured, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah were evacuated and residents reported tremors from Fujairah to Al Ruwais. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Workers wait to re-enter their buildings in Dubai Media City. Sarah Dea / The National
    Workers wait to re-enter their buildings in Dubai Media City. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Abu Dhabi residents. Residents should remain calm and avoid panic spread through social media, officials advised. Sammy Dallal / The National
    Abu Dhabi residents. Residents should remain calm and avoid panic spread through social media, officials advised. Sammy Dallal / The National
  • April 16, 2012 (Abu Dhabi) People evacuate near by buildings after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake originating in Iran was also felt in Abu Dhabi April 16, 2013. (Sammy Dallal / The National)
    April 16, 2012 (Abu Dhabi) People evacuate near by buildings after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake originating in Iran was also felt in Abu Dhabi April 16, 2013. (Sammy Dallal / The National)
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The schedule

December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club

December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq

December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm

December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition

December 13: Falcon beauty competition

December 14 and 20: Saluki races

December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm

December 16 - 19: Falconry competition

December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am

December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am

December 22: The best herd of 30 camels

Liz%20Truss
%3Cp%3EMinisterial%20experience%3A%20Current%20Foreign%20Secretary.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DWhat%20did%20she%20do%20before%20politics%3F%20Worked%20as%20an%20economist%20for%20Shell%20and%20Cable%20and%20Wireless%20and%20was%20then%20a%20deputy%20director%20for%20right-of-centre%20think%20tank%20Reform.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DWhat%20does%20she%20say%20on%20tax%3F%20She%20has%20pledged%20to%20%22start%20cutting%20taxes%20from%20day%20one%22%2C%20reversing%20April's%20rise%20in%20National%20Insurance%20and%20promising%20to%20keep%20%22corporation%20tax%20competitive%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17

European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th

PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Updated: November 15, 2021, 4:14 AM