A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck the Saland area of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran at a depth of approximately 12 kilometres, according to IRIB, Iran's state broadcaster. The quake occurred on Thursday, July 19, 2026, with its epicentre in Saland, a hilly community within Dezful County, about 17 kilometres southeast of Andimeshk and just north of Dezful.
Rescue Teams Deployed to Affected Villages
In response to the earthquake, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) dispatched two rescue teams to villages near the epicentre to assess damage and check on residents. Khuzestan governor Seyed Mohammad Reza Mowlaizadeh confirmed the earthquake and placed emergency services across the province on full alert. He stated that he had issued "necessary instructions for the full mobilisation of rescue and operational forces," as reported by Al Jazeera.
No Casualties Reported Yet
Governor Mowlaizadeh added that no casualties or significant property damage had been recorded at the time of his statement, though official assessments were still ongoing. Tremors were felt beyond the immediate area, reaching other parts of southwestern Iran, southeastern Iraq, and sections of Kuwait.
Khuzestan Sits on Active Seismic Zone
Local authorities urged residents to remain calm while staying alert to the possibility of aftershocks. Southwestern and western Iran, including Khuzestan, Kermanshah, and Hormozgan provinces, lie on an active tectonic zone, making the region particularly prone to seismic activity. Teams on the ground continued to survey affected communities as authorities monitored developments following the quake.
