Mild tremors hit parts of UAE

DUBAI — Fujairah was hit by several mild tremors yesterday causing widespread panic and commotion.

By Anwar Ahmad (Our staff reporters)

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Published: Mon 4 Feb 2008, 8:51 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 5:33 PM

There was, however, no official information about any damage to property or casualty.

A large number of dwellers of the Masafi area and the surrounding villages in Fujairah said the tremors occurred on Sunday between 11am and 12 noon.

Some inhabitants said that they also noticed cracks in some old Arab traditional houses in various districts and villages as a result of the tremors.

The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology in Abu Dhabi said that UAE felt four mild earthquakes at different places in the country yesterday.

Officials though added that there were no injuries or property damages.

The tremors measured between 2.57-4.4 on the Richter scale in different regions of the country.

The first tremor measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale was felt at 1.25am UAE time (Sunday night).

The epicentre was in the Gulf of Oman, which is 140km east of Al Ain.

The second measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale was felt at 1.25am, with its epicentre in the north of Fujairah, while the third tremor measuring 2.57 on the Richter scale shook Fujairah at 3.34am. The centre of this quake also was the north of Fujairah.

The fourth tremor measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale hit Qisham Island in Iran at 8.30am.

The Masafi area witnessed two tremors at 5am and 8.47am yesterday.

The panic and fear forced four schools in both Fujairah and RAK education zones to suspend operations as a precautionary measure.

Juma Al Kindi, Director of the Fujairah Education Zone, paid a visit to the schools under the jurisdiction of the zone.

He ordered a technical team to urgently check the school buildings to ensure their safety.

Lt-Col Ali Al Tenijy, Director of Fujairah Civil Defence, said, “The department received several reports of tremors in Fujairah and Masafi since early morning. However, there was no property damage or casualties reported.”

Meanwhile, residents expressed fear of the frequent seismic activities that rocked the area within a day.

Most of them abandoned their homes and stayed in their cars.

The last few days have witnessed several tremors in various areas of Fujairah.

The first occurred last week on Tuesday in Masafi, while the second was on Saturday in Dibba.

The residents have called for the setting up of an earthquake monitoring centre in the region.

According to the weatherman, the weather in the next few days will remain partly cloudy and the days will remain cold with moderate wind.

The maximum temperature will be 20 degrees Celsius and minimum 12, while the maximum humidity level will be 80 per cent and minimum 40 per cent. The Met department has warned the fishermen not to venture out to the sea.


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