Iran-Iraq Earthquake: At Least 328 Dead, 2500+ Injured in Heavy Tremor
Local Editor
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the border region between Iraq and Iran, killing at least 328 people and injuring an estimated more than 2500, local media reported.
The US Geological Survey [USGS] said Sunday's powerful quake hit close to Halabjah, southeast of Sulaymaniyah, a city in the northern Iraqi Kurdistan region.
The tremor, which was felt as far away as Qatar, struck at 9:18pm local time [18:18] GMT. Its epicenter was at a depth of 33.9km.
In further details, Iranian news agency ISNA said at least 61 people were killed and 300 injured in Kermanshah province on the Iraqi border.
Most of the victims are believed to be in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab.
Iranian media said rescue teams deployed in the area amid fears the death toll will rise.
Crossed by several major fault lines, Iran is one of the world's most seismically active countries.
On the other side of the border, Sulaymaniyah officials declared an emergency in the early hours of Monday to assess the aftermath of the quake, according to local Kurdish media.
Media correspondents said cars came to a standstill in the city as the buildings began to sway.
Pictures and footage published on social media showed people seeking safety in the streets of Sulaymaniyah while the interiors of buildings shook.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
Comments
- Related News
