Tremors felt in UAE as strong magnitude earthquake strikes Iran

A magnitude quake of 5.7 hit parts of southern Iran this morning

Tremors in the UAE were felt after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Iran on Saturday. Courtesy: National Centre of Meteorology 

Tremors were felt in parts of the UAE after a high magnitude earthquake hit Iran in the early hours of this morning.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) confirmed that the tremors came from a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Iran at 1.30am.

NCM said the tremors were mostly felt in the Northern Emirates.

“It was quite a strong magnitude. It was felt in northern UAE and we received about three calls from people in different Emirates who wanted to report it to us," said Khamees Elshamsi, director of the seismology department at NCM.

“There was no impact in the UAE. People just felt the tremors. Those who were in high-rise buildings probably felt it, too.”

“This happens two to three times each year, as earthquakes are common in that part of Iran."

In January 2020, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake in Iran was felt in the Emirates. Another one a month later struck the same parts and was also felt by UAE residents.

On Friday, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 34 people and injuring hundreds of other people.

However, the number is expected to rise, as rescuers search through the rubble.