By Karen James
In a tragic sequence of events, a 3.7 magnitude earthquake rattled Malayer, a city in the Hamedan province of western Iran, on Monday. This seismic event only deepened the nation’s sorrow, as it came just a day after the devastating helicopter crash that claimed the life of President Ebrahim Raisi.
The earthquake, reported by the Seismological Centre of the Geophysics Institute of the University of Tehran, occurred at 08:20:52 local time, at a depth of 10km. The epicenter was located 9 kilometers from Samen, 18 kilometers from Malayer, and 18 kilometers from Oshtorinan. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of any damage or casualties resulting from the tremor.
The timing of the earthquake, coinciding with the nation’s mourning period for President Raisi, has only intensified the grief of the Iranian people. The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared a five-day period of national mourning to pay tribute to the late president and the members of his entourage.
In an official statement, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his sorrow, saying, “I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran.” He also highlighted the constitutional process to select a new president, stating that Mr. Mokhbar is now responsible for managing the executive branch and is obliged to coordinate with the heads of the legislative and judicial branches for the election of a new president within fifty days.
The Supreme Leader also took the opportunity to honor President Raisi’s dedication and commitment to serving the Iranian people. He described Raisi as “a sincere and valuable servant” who prioritized the welfare and satisfaction of the citizens above all else. Despite facing challenges and criticism, he tirelessly worked day and night to improve the conditions in the country.
As Iran grapples with these back-to-back tragedies, the resilient nation must now come together to mourn their beloved leader while also navigating the process of electing a new president to lead them forward.
