Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering

Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering

Preparedness and Emergency Response Aspects of Sarpol-e Zahab (Kermanshah), Iran Earthquake of November 12, 2017

Document Type : Risk Management

Authors
Kambod Amini Hosseini
Yasamin O. Izadkhah
Babak Mansouri
Mohammadreza Ghayamghamian
International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), Tehran
10.48303/jsee.2018.240800
Abstract
On November 12, 2017, at 9:48 p.m. (local time), a destructive earthquake (Ml=7.3) occurred in the border region between Iraq and Iran, followed by many weak to strong aftershocks. The earthquake claimed more than 620 lives with a further 10000 injured. At least eight cities including Qasr-e Shirin, Ezgeleh, Salas-e Babajani, Gilan-e Gharb, Sarpol-e Zahab, Dalahou, Eslamabad-e Gharb and Javanrud as well as around 2000 villages were damaged or affected severely by this earthquake and its aftershocks. Additionally, the earthquake was felt in many adjacent provinces and caused extreme fear and horror. Considering the time of earthquake and lack of appropriate damage assessment tools, it took fewhours to evaluate the location of the most stricken areas and to estimate the number of casualties. Moreover, due to the wide extent of damaged areas, the local needs were much higher than the existing resources and capacities. These issues caused delay in providing emergency response services and dispatching the rescue and relief teams to the affected areas. In this paper, the most important challenges in preparedness and emergency response aspects regarding this earthquake will be addressed and discussed. Lessons learnt and recommendations are provided based on the authors' field observation undertaken few days after the earthquake.
Keywords
Emergency Response
Preparedness
Challenges
Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake
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  • Receive Date 01 August 2018
  • Accept Date 26 December 2020
  • Publish Date 01 October 2018