Turkmenistan: Earthquake - Dec 2000

An earthquake measuring over 7.2 on the Richter scale hit western Turkmenistan during the night/early hours of December 7. Two weaker aftershocks occurred shortly after. The epicenter was concentrated in the oil rich Balkan oblast near Balkanabad (Nebit Dag), the provincial capital, approximately 80 kilometres inland from the coastal town of Turkmenbashi. Six casualties were initially reported in the affected oblast although these were yet to be confirmed as of December 11; numerous people have been treated at the local hospital in Nebit Dag for minor injuries. Nebit Dag itself seemed to have escaped any major structural damage. (IFRC, 11 Dec 2000)