Iran Was Punished By Nature: Iran's 5 Minutes of Chaos That Changed Everything

On September 16, 1978, a devastating earthquake struck the region around Tabas, Iran, with a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. This catastrophic natural disaster caused immense destruction throughout the area, resulting in the deaths of approximately 25,000 people and leaving tens of thousands more injured or homeless.

The earthquake virtually destroyed the town of Tabas along with over 80 nearby villages, reducing many of them to rubble. The infrastructure was severely damaged, which hampered immediate rescue and relief efforts. The event was particularly tragic as it occurred just before dawn, catching most residents asleep and unprepared, which contributed to the high casualty rate.

The 1978 Tabas earthquake remains one of the deadliest earthquakes in Iran’s history and highlights the region's vulnerability to seismic activity. It also underscored the need for improved building codes and disaster preparedness in earthquake-prone areas.