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Iraq-Iran earthquake: Deadly tremor hits border region Iraq-Iran earthquake: Deadly tremor hits border region
(about 1 hour later)
A strong 7.3-magnitude earthquake has rattled the northern border region between Iran and Iraq, killing scores.A strong 7.3-magnitude earthquake has rattled the northern border region between Iran and Iraq, killing scores.
At least 61 people died in western Iran, state media said, with four more reported dead in Iraq. The death toll is likely to rise. At least 61 people were killed and 300 injured in western Iran, state media said, with four more reported dead in Iraq. The death toll is likely to rise.
The earthquake sparked panic, with residents fleeing their homes for the streets.The earthquake sparked panic, with residents fleeing their homes for the streets.
Mosques in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have been saying prayers through loudspeakers.Mosques in the Iraqi capital Baghdad have been saying prayers through loudspeakers.
Iranian news channel IRINN said rescue teams have been despatched to western parts of the country. Many 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, said, according to Iranian state television channel IRINN.
"Damage has been reported in at least eight villages," Morteza Salim, the head of Iran's Red Crescent Organisation, 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." "Some other villages have suffered power cuts and their telecommunications system has also been disturbed," he said.
The earthquake was felt in Turkey and Israel too. Rescue teams were being hampered by landslides, Mr Koolivand said.
It struck in the evening local time south of the Iraqi town of Halabja at a depth of 33.9 km (21 miles), 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.