Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Earthquake hits Iran after president’s fatal helicopter crash 

An earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale jolted Malayer, Hamedan province, in western Iran on Monday. 

• May 20, 2024
Iran earthquake and copter crash
Iran earthquake and copter crash

An earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale jolted Malayer, Hamedan province, in western Iran on Monday. 

According to the Seismological Centre of the Geophysics Institute of the University of Tehran, the earthquake occurred at 08:20:52 local time and had a depth of 10km. 

The earthquake occurred nine kilometres from Samen, 18km from Melayer, and 18km from Oshtorinan.

Iranians are currently mourning the demise of President Ebrahim Raisi, who perished in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

On Monday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei declared five-day mourning for Mr Raisi and his entourage, who died in the crash.

Mr Khamenei said, “I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran. According to Article 131 of the Constitution, Mr Mokhbar is in the position of managing the executive branch, and he is obliged to make arrangements with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches for the election of a new president within a maximum of fifty days.

He described Mr Raisi as “a sincere and valuable servant. For him, the goodness and satisfaction of the people, which indicates God’s satisfaction, was preferred over everything, so his annoyances from the ingratitude and taunts of some ill-wishers did not prevent him from working day and night to improve affairs.”

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