QURGHON TEPPA, July 31, Asia-Plus -- Three children, a 7-year-old Ibrohim Mazoriyev, a 7-year-old Mizhgona Saymuddinova and a 10-year-old Shahnoza Saymuddinova, were killed as two earthquakes shook the Qumsangir district in the southern province of Khatlon late Saturday [July 29].  Other some 20 people were injured.    

According to information from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), the quakes’ epicenters were located in Afghanistan , some 170-180 kilometers south of Dushanbe .

            The source says some 500 residential buildings in three jamoats of Qumsangir were damaged by the quakes; of them, 400 houses were destroyed completely, and some 1,200 people were left homeless.      

            At present a special commission comprising Deputy Prime Minister Asadullo Ghulomov, Emergencies Minister Mirzo Ziyoyev and Chairman of Khatlon Amirsho Miraliyev is working in the site of the quakes to closely monitor the situation, according to the source.

            Tajikistan ’s National Red Crescent Society (NRCS) has already provided the first aid to the quake-affected people in Qumsangir, sending them 400 tents and medicines.        According to MES official, the magnitude of the first earthquake was 5.0 and of the second one 5.5 on Tajikistan ’s 12-point scale.