At least 3 died, and more than 1075 were injured; security forces clamped down on protests over the government’s mismanagement
In the wake of the Khoy earthquake, the victims’ situation remains critical. One week after the earthquake, people still do not have access to basic necessities.
An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter Scale hit the city of Khoy, West Azerbaijan province, in northwest Iran, at approximately 9:44 p.m. local time on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Khoy has a population of around 200,000.
On Tuesday, January 31, Khoy earthquake victims gathered in front of the governor’s office and security forces, demanding to receive tents and heating equipment. These victims, whose homes were destroyed or become unstable during the earthquake, have been sleeping in the streets in sub-zero temperatures.
Government authorities have not taken any serious measures to help the earthquake victims. In a feeble attempt to show support to the victims, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces deployed to the area. However, given the lack of resources, they have failed to undertake any repairs or provide public assistance. Furthering the regime’s lack of humanity, the government has ruled that public assistance to earthquake victims is subject to its discretion.
State officials and media in Iran said on Sunday at least three people were killed and more than 800 injured in the region near the Turkish border. The earthquake caused tremors in many cities nearby. The figure of injured has surpassed 1075 since then.
“The extent of the destruction of houses and buildings in Khoy is relatively high,” the semi-official news agency Fars reported. Reuters quoted the Environmental & Maintenance Services Center (EMSC) as saying that the quake had been at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Buildings in 70 villages as far away as 800 kilometers (500 miles) northwest of the capital, Tehran, also suffered quake damage.
The head of the Housing Foundation in West Azerbaijan said, “Saturday night’s earthquake in Khoy damaged 3,500 residential units, with damages ranging from 20% to 80%.”
Alireza Beigi, a member of the mullahs’ parliament, admitted that bakeries, stores, restaurants, and service centers have had to shut down. The closures have exacerbated people’s problems in meeting their basic daily needs.
Images published by Iranian state media broadcast images of people wrapped in blankets, huddling around fires in the snow-dusted region. State television also showed footage of the major damage to residential buildings, including partially destroyed homes.
There is widespread chaos in the distribution of food and other basic necessities. Earthquake victims still do not have tents or other means of shelter. Some Khoy residents say three families stay in one tent, and 12 people get only two plates of food.
Meanwhile, Iranian security forces have clamped down on protests over the government’s mismanagement in response to the earthquake. Videos published on social media showed security forces using a water cannon to disperse people who had gathered in front of the regional administration building in Khoy.
400 families in a village left without tents
Speaking about the situation, a villager from Zawiya village, Hasan Khan, reported:
“Our village was among the areas that suffered a lot of damage. The number of injured was also high. One of the dead is from our village. We received 150 tents, but what’s the use – another 400 families were left without tents. We have nothing. We have no bread, no blankets… we have nothing.”
Despite the disruption in relief assistance to the victims of the Khoy earthquake, government authorities quickly dispatched anti-riot forces and anti-riot equipment to the area. According to government officials, the earthquake-affected areas are considered security zones, and anyone voluntarily coming to the area to provide independent assistance will be arrested. In previous cases, regime officials refused to accept international humanitarian aid and arrested volunteer aid workers.
The Khoy earthquake victims’ situation is critical, and people have lost hope in receiving government assistance. After a week and many false promises by the thieving, looting government, Khoy residents are increasingly angry.
According to one Khoy resident, “The earthquake was so awful that no one from the authorities came to help us. We are in dire need of tents. I cry. The situation here is terrible. For God’s sake, take care of us here. The situation is horrible. Give us tents. Everyone is in need. God knows we are stranded; please reach out to us. There is no news of the government attending to us. It is not clear where the officials are. Where did they sleep? Where did they go to meet? The representatives they sent are just numbers. Our situation is awful; we are in dire need, want tents, and are hungry here.
“Today, we went to the Governor’s office, and they say, ‘we don’t have tents.’ But last night, they reported on the news that two planes brought tents to Khoy. Unfortunately, none of the people you see here received any tents. Don’t let the earthquake kill the people, don’t let the cold kill the people.” (The state-run Entekhab.ir, January 31, 2022)
Additional reports include:
The state-run Khabaronline.ir, January 31: “Freezing temperatures, little bread, and aftershocks that continue! Three days have passed since the earthquake. As of today, more than 70 aftershocks have occurred in this city. Popular messages indicate that in addition to the shortage of heating devices, the lack of bread and other food items are serious problems in the earthquake-affected areas.”
“We don’t have food, we don’t have anything, we are shivering from the cold,” says a pregnant woman. “My husband has been going to get a tent for 3 days, but they don’t give it to us.”
The head of the Emergency Organization said. “According to the latest statistics, 1,174 victims injured in the Khoy earthquake have been referred to medical centers and hospitals.”
The state-run Etemadonline.ir, January 31, reported under the title, “Red situation in Khoy.”
Earthquake victims are extremely angry and suffer from mental and emotional stress. Some Khoy residents plan to leave the area and go to nearby cities or villages. It has even been reported that some earthquake victims were so angry that they began fighting and attacking journalists.
