IAEA: Bushehr nuclear power plant unharmed by quake
By Sara Rajabova
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has declared that the earthquake that occurred on Tuesday in the southeast of Iran did not damage the Bushehr nuclear power plant. A statement to that end was released by the IAEA's Incident and Emergency Center (IEC), IRNA news agency reported.
Also, the IAEA center contacted the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority (INRA) concerning the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. INRA informed the IEC that the earthquake caused no damage to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant or other nuclear facilities, the IAEA said.
The IAEA has indicated it is ready to help Iran obtain any assistance required to ensure the safety of radioactive sources such as medical equipment that may have been affected by the earthquake. The offer is in line with the IAEA's IEC routine procedures after strong earthquakes that might affect nuclear or radiological safety.
INRA said records showed no fixed high-level radiation sources were installed in the area of the earthquake, which struck near Iran's border with Pakistan.
The number of people injured in the earthquake in Iran has risen to 27 people, ISNA reported with reference to the governor of the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
According to him, five people are in critical condition and were rushed to a hospital.
The governor denied reports of 40 deaths, which appeared earlier. He added that the lines of communications (water, telephone lines) suffered minimal damage.
The Red Crescent Society of Turkey intends to render aid to the earthquake area of Iran.
Preparations are underway to send aid to the earthquake-afflicted zone of Iran.
The quake was also felt in the neighboring countries, in particular, the Indian capital of New Delhi.
It is reported that this is one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit Iran over the past 40 years.