Dubai: Tremors hit the UAE after a moderate earthquake struck Iran on Tuesday morning.
There were no immediate reports of causalities or damage in the UAE, but residents told Gulf News several buildings in Dubai were evacuated.
The National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology in Abu Dhabi said a quake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale occurred near Iran’s Qeshm island at 9.44am.
The quake occurred around 120km from Ras Al Khaimah, which is located at the northern tip of the UAE. The quake’s intensity had dropped to 4.0 on the scale, according to the centre.
The centre confirmed tremors were felt in the Northern Emirates and Dubai. Readers from Dubai and Sharjah called up Gulf News, saying they felt tremors.
Social media is abuzz with reports of a tremor felt across the UAE on Tuesday morning.
@gulf_news I did! Not the best place to feel tremors when its the 14th floor of a bldg opposite Burj Khalifa. Time - around 9:49 am.— Sheikh Rehmatullah (@Sheikh_Rehmat) May 27, 2014
@gulf_news yes I felt from my office 13 th floor in Sharjah , a bit scary.— Senthil Vel (@tksenthilvel) May 27, 2014
@gulf_news I felt twice after a minute again for a second in Ajman whole building is shaking got shocked all my friends don't feel anything— balamuruganspondy (@balamuruganspon) May 27, 2014
An Indian manager in Dubai said “a lot of people” from a number of towers on Shaikh Zayed Road could be seen gathered outside buildings soon after the tremors. “I felt the floor shake and when we got up from our seats, it shook again. Our office staff rushed down. My legs are numb from walking down almost 30 flights of stairs,” said the 29-year-old.
Workers also evacuated offices in Hamarain Centre in Deira, according to a senior executive there. “People are still waiting outside because they think there may be aftershocks,” he told Gulf News.
It is common for tremors to be felt in the UAE after quakes in neighbouring Iran or even further away in Pakistan.
Did you feel the tremor? Let us know via @gulf_news or by emailing readers@gulfnews.com
