Tehran, Nov 29, IRNA-An earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale hit surrounding areas of Qeshm in the Persian Gulf in southern Iran on Monday evening following two killer quakes that hit the coastal area and its neighboring villages on Sunday.

Iran's seismological bases registered the tremor at 20:45 local time (17:15 GMT).

There are no reports of damage or casualties caused by this latest tremor.

The first and second tremors, measuring 5.9 and 5.5 on the Richter scale at 13:53 (10:23 GMT) and 20:41 (17:11 GMT), respectively, killed 10 people and injured 80 on the Persian Gulf's biggest island in Hormuzgan province. Ten mudbrick villages were destroyed by the tremors.

Qeshm, a 1,500-square-kilometer island, is home to some rare wildlife such as certain species of birds endemic only to the area.

The Forests of Hara in the island is a unique tourist spot.

The island is also one of Iran's lucrative commercial and fishing ports.

... Payvand News - 11/29/05 ... --