Citation

Ostadtaghizadeh A, Khaleghy Rad M, Aghababaeian H, Zare M, Kamranzad F. PLoS Curr. 2018; 10.

Affiliation

College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/currents.dis.ac10620db4a0c944e605c4c226a75f64

PMID

30214829

PMCID

PMC6117122

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Earthquake is the most important cause of death from natural disasters in Iran. This paper brings attention to the main causes of loss of life due to the Kermanshah province earthquake (Nov 12 2017), and provides a wakeup call about the unsafe nature of buildings there.

METHODS: This study is based on official reports review and a field assessment in the areas affected by the earthquake in western Iran.

RESULTS: Although buildings in this area are mainly old structures, strangely, more than 70% of the destroyed buildings in this earthquake were under 5 years of age, newly built or renovated buildings according to mandated building codes.

DISCUSSION: Mandated building codes and construction rules and regulations are not respected even for the newly constructed or reconstructed structures buildings.

Language: en

Keywords

Earthquake; Iran; construct; reconstruct Building codes.