Earthquake shakes Sulaimani for second consecutive day

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - For the second day in a row Kurdistan Region’s Sulaimani province was shaken by an earthquake, Iraq’s meteorology and seismology organization said on Saturday. There are no reported injuries or damage from the quakes. 

At around 4 pm Saturday afternoon, an earthquake of 3.7 magnitude shook 49 km southeast of Chamchamal town in Sulaimani province, according to the seismology organization. The night before, an earthquake of 3.9 magnitude rocked the same town. 

The Kurdistan Region is in an active earthquake zone. In November 2017, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake killed 10 people and injured more than 500. It caused considerable damage to buildings, mainly in the areas of Darbandikhan, Halabja, Kalar, and Khanaqin. In 2018, the Iraqi government gave compensation to 43 families in Darbandikhan affected by the earthquake. 

In February, the shockwaves of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria were felt in the Kurdistan Region’s capital of Erbil. Although it did not cause any casualties or severe damage, the tremor sent frightened people running out of their homes.

In March, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit Halabja province on the border with Iran. It was felt across the Kurdistan Region, but caused no casualties or material damage.