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Strong quake hits Iraq-Iran border region Strong quake hits Iraq-Iran border region
(35 minutes later)
An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 has hit the border region between Iran and Iraq, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says. A strong 7.2-magnitude earthquake has rattled the northern border region between Iraq and Iran, with several deaths reported.
It struck 32km (20mi) south-west of the Iraqi town of Halabja, the USGS said. The quake struck in the evening local time in Iraq south-west of the town of Halabja at a depth of 33.9km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says.
Iranian state media said it was felt in several provinces, with eight villages damaged and electricity cut. It was felt in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and several provinces in Iran.
Kurdish TV also said many people in Iraqi Kurdistan fled their homes when it struck but there were no initial reports of casualties. At least six people were killed in the Iranian town of Qasr-e Shirin, state media said.
Iranian news channel IRINN says rescue teams have been despatched to western parts of the country.
"Damage has been reported in at least eight villages," Morteza Salim, the head of Iran's Red Crescent Organisation, told the channel.
"Some other villages have suffered power cuts and their telecommunication system has also been disturbed."
Kurdish TV also said many people in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region fled their homes when it struck but there were no initial reports of casualties.