Prague, 20 February 1997 (RFE/RL) - Interfax news agency reports a moderate earthquake struck the mountain border region between Turkmenistan and Iran. There are no reports of damage or injuries from yesterday's quake.
The tremor was centered about 80 kilometers southwest of Ashgabat. The earthquake was categorized as a "four" on the Richter Scale.
An earthquake of that magnitude is capable of causing heavy damage in a populated area. Two much stronger earthquakes struck the border area this month, killing about 80 people and injuring hundreds, mostly in Iran.