No fresh tremor in UAE, confirms NCMS even as residents ‘feel’ it

Published Wednesday, April 17, 2013

By Bindu Suresh Rai

The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) in Abu Dhabi has refuted claims of fresh tremors being felt in the country on Wednesday morning, a day after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the Iran-Pakistan border that sent shockwaves across the UAE.

The denial came even as people in Abu Dhabi continue to ‘feel’ the tremors in the early hours today.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, an NCMS spokesperson said: “There have been no fresh tremors that have hit the UAE, since yesterday’s 7.8 earthquake, near the Iran-Pakistan border.

“People are just creating widespread panic and overreacting here. They need to remain calm and let us do our job.”

Quizzed if the aftershocks of yesterday’s earthquake may continue for a while, he said: “There is no scheduled time limit of how long we will experience aftershocks after an earthquake. In fact, last week’s 6.3 magnitude quake in Bushehr, Iran, is still experiencing aftershocks.

“This will continue until the plates are stable again, and [when that will happen] simply cannot be predicted.”

The spokesperson reiterated saying: “We also cannot predict if we will be hit by an earthquake or feel tremors from a neighbouring country.

“If it happens, people need to remain calm and follow whatever emergency procedures that have been put in place. This is not a time to panic or spread false rumours.”

The epicentre of yesterday’s earthquake was approximately 650km northeast of Ras Al Khaimah, which “impacted the UAE between 4 and 5 magnitude on the Richter scale,” NCMS said.

People in Abu Dhabi reportedly have experienced fresh tremors this morning, with Lakshmi Devi Ramesh writing in to say: “Felt tremor in Abu Dhabi just now.”

Meanwhile, Dubai Police has also confirmed no damages were reported across the UAE in wake of yesterday's tremors.

The authority tweeted on its official account, saying: “There are no reports of accidents, injuries or losses as a result of the earthquake in Dubai.”

ALSO READ:

Fresh quakes rock Muscat, Iran-Pak border; UAE not impacted