Earthquake damaged old building in Sheki, no victims

/By AzerNews/

By Nigar Orujova

A strong earthquake in Sheki caused no victims or injures, Sheki Executive Power reports. This information was obtained from all hospitals in the region.

An earthquake was recorded at 09:49 a.m. local time 29 kilometers from Azerbaijan’s Sheki region on September 4, measuring 7 on Richter scale at its epicenter.

The depth of the earthquake focus was 13 kilometers, with a magnitude reaching 5.9. The tremors were already felt in Mingachevir, Yevlakh, Ganja, Goychay and other regions.

In some places of the region, particularly Turan village that locates close to the epicenter, cracks appeared in a number of old buildings and houses.

“Investigation is underway now. Professionals have arrived on the scene to inspect buildings and study the situation. Therefore, some time is needed to provide the final information,” the authority reported.

The Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan tweeted that Turkey is ready to assist Azerbaijan regarding the major earthquake in the country’s Sheki region.

Earlier, the Republican Seismological Service Center called on citizens to not trust inaccurate information being disseminated about tremors.

The Center also noted that as the earthquake in Sheki was strong aftershocks could be felt throughout the day.

Scientists believe that seismic zones with the potential to produce dangerous force cover the entire country, while the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt passes directly through Azerbaijan.

The most seismically active zones in Azerbaijan are the Shamakhi and Ismayilli regions.

Last year was marked with an intensification of seismic processes as well as the most powerful earthquakes that Azerbaijan has seen in the past 15 years.

Six earthquakes measuring over 5.0 on the Richter scale occurred in Azerbaijan in 2014, releasing a tremendous volume of energy.