Northwestern Iran was struck Saturday by a series of major earthquakes, the strongest registering magnitude 6.4, as local media reported dozens of people dead and hundreds hurt.
SUMMARY
The U.S. Geological Survey had no immediate word on fatalities and damage, but logged the magnitude 6.4 quake and a 6.3 quake midday. There were numerous aftershocks, registering as high as magnitude 5.0.
Iranian state TV said at least 87 people were dead and 400 injured, with hundreds of homes damaged. The quake hit near the town of Ahar in East Azerbaijan province.
The TV quoted Khalil Saei, local Crisis Committee chief, as saying that 30 people were killed in Ahar, 40 in Varzaqan and 17 others in Haris.
The broadcast said at least 60 villages sustained damage ranging from 50 to 80 percent, while 4 other villages had been totally leveled to the ground.
Iran is located on seismic fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. It experiences at least one earthquake every day on average, although the vast majority are so small they go unnoticed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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SUMMARY
- Fars news reports 153 dead and 600 injured
- Four villages completely destroyed
- Residents told to spend the rest of the night outdoors
- Numerous aftershocks
The U.S. Geological Survey had no immediate word on fatalities and damage, but logged the magnitude 6.4 quake and a 6.3 quake midday. There were numerous aftershocks, registering as high as magnitude 5.0.
Iranian state TV said at least 87 people were dead and 400 injured, with hundreds of homes damaged. The quake hit near the town of Ahar in East Azerbaijan province.
The TV quoted Khalil Saei, local Crisis Committee chief, as saying that 30 people were killed in Ahar, 40 in Varzaqan and 17 others in Haris.
The broadcast said at least 60 villages sustained damage ranging from 50 to 80 percent, while 4 other villages had been totally leveled to the ground.
Iran is located on seismic fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. It experiences at least one earthquake every day on average, although the vast majority are so small they go unnoticed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Click for more from Fars news