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Iran-Iraq earthquake: Deadly tremor hits border region | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has shaken the northern border region between Iran and Iraq, killing at least 207 people and injuring about 2,500. | |
One aid agency said 70,000 people needed emergency shelter after the quake, one of the largest this year. | |
Most of those who died were in Iran's western Kermanshah province, officials told state media. | |
At least six more were reported to have died in Iraq, where people fled into the streets in the capital, Baghdad. | |
Mosques in the city have been broadcasting prayers through loudspeakers. | |
"I was sitting with my kids having dinner and suddenly the building was just dancing in the air," a Baghdad mother-of-three, Majida Ameer, told Reuters news agency. | |
"I thought at first that it was a huge bomb. But then I heard everyone around me screaming: 'Earthquake!'" | |
Most of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15km (10 miles) from the border, Iran's emergency services chief, Pir Hossein Koolivand was quoted as saying on Iranian state television channel IRINN. | Most of the victims were in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab, about 15km (10 miles) from the border, Iran's emergency services chief, Pir Hossein Koolivand was quoted as saying on Iranian state television channel IRINN. |
The town's main hospital was severely damaged, leaving it struggling to treat hundreds of wounded, state TV reported. | The town's main hospital was severely damaged, leaving it struggling to treat hundreds of wounded, state TV reported. |
Damage was reported in at least eight villages, the head of Iran's Red Crescent Organisation, Morteza Salim, told the channel. | Damage was reported in at least eight villages, the head of Iran's Red Crescent Organisation, Morteza Salim, told the channel. |
"Some other villages have suffered power cuts and their telecommunications system has also been disturbed," he said. | "Some other villages have suffered power cuts and their telecommunications system has also been disturbed," he said. |
Rescue teams were being hampered by landslides, Mr Koolivand said. | Rescue teams were being hampered by landslides, Mr Koolivand said. |
On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75km (47 miles) east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdistan Region. | On the Iraqi side, the most extensive damage was in the town of Darbandikhan, 75km (47 miles) east of the city of Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdistan Region. |
"The situation there is very critical," Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed told Reuters news agency. | "The situation there is very critical," Kurdish Health Minister Rekawt Hama Rasheed told Reuters news agency. |
The quake hit 19 miles (30km) southwest of Halabja, near the northeastern border with Iran, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. | The quake hit 19 miles (30km) southwest of Halabja, near the northeastern border with Iran, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. |
The occurred at a depth of 33.9 km (21 miles), and tremors were felt in Turkey, Israel and Kuwait. Iran sits across major fault lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes. | The occurred at a depth of 33.9 km (21 miles), and tremors were felt in Turkey, Israel and Kuwait. Iran sits across major fault lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes. |