Major earthquake in Iran rattles Dubai. MCN Hive evacuated.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake – the strongest in Iran in 40 years – rattled the city of Dubai and could be felt as far as New Delhi. Strong tremors were felt, specially in the higher floors at the MCN Hive building in Dubai, HQ to some of the best known advertising, media and communications agencies in the region. The building was “evacuated” following safety procedures.

This was the first time that the high rise MCN Hive was evacuated. Hundreds of employees were seen milling around outside the building – having used the stairways to climb down and out of the building. The building is the regional HQ for the Middle East Communication Network and is the regional hub for FP7, UM, Weber Shandwick, Lowe, Momentum, MRM, Promoseven 360, Initiative, Magna and McCann Health agencies.

There were no casualties or damage reported in the UAE. But evacuations happened across the city of Dubai, and Gulf News reports that “An hour after the initial tremors were felt in UAE, hundreds of people were still gathered below buildings in the capital, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, and other parts of the country. Most were workers in high-rise office towers whose buildings had been evacuated following safety procedures.”